is an initiative of Valipac
The EU regulations on packaging and packaging waste cover both the design of packaging and the management of packaging waste. They are designed to tackle the increasing amounts of packaging waste that are causing environmental problems. They are also intended to remove barriers in the internal market caused by EU countries applying different rules on packaging design.
1. Main objectives
2. Environmental objectives
Reduce the amount of packaging waste by promoting reuse and recycling
Development of extended producer responsibility
| Material | Today (Belgium) | Europe 2025 | Europe 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass | 90% | 70% | 75% |
| Paper/cardboard | 90% | 75% | 85% |
| Ferrous metals | 90% | 70% | 80% |
| Aluminium | 75% | 50% | 60% |
| Plastic | 55%* | 50% | 55% |
| Wood | 80% | 25% | 30% |
| All packaging | 65% | 70% |
* For household plastic packaging, the percentages to be achieved are 65% as from 2023 and 70% as from 2030.
* As from 2030, the percentage to be achieved for commercial and industrial plastic packaging will be 65%.
The directive is currently being revised. Today, the Commission is converting the directive into a regulation which, once approved, will have immediate effect in all Member States with major changes for all players in the packaging chain.
The following are some of the most important measures. This information is not exhaustive and concerns mainly commercial and industrial packaging. The new regulations should be definitively approved in the second half of 2024.
For more detailed information, contact us at ingrid.bouchez@valipac.be
As of 1 January 2030
Preventive measures will have to be taken to gradually reduce packaging waste by 2040.
By January 2030, any plastic part of packaging shall contain a minimum percentage of recycled content recovered from post consumer plastic waste.
Ambitious targets are set for the reuse of transport packaging both within and between member states.
