100% reusable transport packaging by 2030! How can this be achieved?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which came into force at the beginning of 2025, sets very ambitious reuse targets for transport packaging.
From 2030, companies will be required to use 100% reusable packaging for the transport of goods within a single Member State or to a site belonging to the same group within the European Union.
For transport between Member States, companies will be required to use a minimum of 40% reusable packaging by 2030.
Which packaging is affected?
This requirement applies to transport and sales packaging (industrial) in the following formats: pallets, foldable plastic boxes, boxes, trays, plastic crates, large bulk containers, buckets, drums and cans, regardless of their size and the materials they are made of (except cardboard boxes), including flexible formats or pallet packaging or straps used to stabilise and protect products placed on pallets during transport.
The Matchmaker
Find a reuse solution for your transport packaging easily with our matchmaker.
The matchmaker is an initiative of Fost Plus and Valipac.
What is reusable packaging?
To be considered reusable, packaging must first and foremost be designed to undergo a minimum number of rotations and be subject to a return system (whether open or closed). This means that it is robust enough to withstand as many rotations as possible under normal conditions of use. The minimum number of rotations is three. In the coming years, the European Commission will determine a minimum number of rotations for the most common types of packaging.
In future, reusable packaging will have to be designed in such a way that the necessary identification of the contents, the traceability of the packaging and all other useful or legally required information can be applied. This can be done in the form of labels or other authorised electronic methods.
Once they reach the waste stage, they must also be recyclable. The following criteria can be used for this purpose:
- The packaging and/or used parts are made of a single material (single material). Laminates composed of different materials and/or incompatible polymers are not recommended.
- If, for technical reasons, reusable packaging consists of different components and these components are made of different materials, the different components must be easy to dismantle.
- The dyes, fillers and other additives used must not interfere with the recycling process in which the reusable packaging and/or components are processed.
- Labels must be removable during the recycling process.
- Printing must be kept to a minimum, with a maximum of 10% of the total surface area of the packaging (or the largest component).
- The packaging must be easy to fill, empty and clean. The reusability of the packaging must not be compromised during these processes.
The packaging must be designed so that it can be completely decontaminated and/or reconditioned to meet current hygiene, safety and quality requirements, in particular those relating to food safety.