The European Union is close to approving new rules on sustainable packaging to curb the growing amount of waste produced across the EU – in other words, it aims to change the way the EU eats, drinks, buys and recycles.
The final version of the new rules – which still need final approval – will encourage companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging and ensure that all packaging is recycled by 2030.
What does this mean, practically, in the everyday lives of Europeans?
Bring your own container
Takeout businesses must allow customers to bring in their own containers of hot or cold drinks and pre-prepared food. This means you can take your 'KeepCup' with you wherever you go.
Products will also increasingly be sold in reusable packaging – rather than disposable, marketers must meet targets to offer certain products in reusable packaging: this extends to serving beer and soft drinks. In reusable glass bottles, as opposed to disposable options. Customers can return the packaging of these products so they can be reused.
The rule is restricted in countries with sufficiently high recycling rates, among other conditions, the newspaper 'POLITICO' noted.
Less plastic packaging
One thing's for sure: You can expect to see less plastic packaging on supermarket shelves in the coming years. That's because single-use plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables, personal hygiene products from hotels and fast-food restaurants, and “very light” plastic bags will be banned in the EU from 2030.
The move was celebrated by green lawmakers, but criticized by suppliers of the new product. “What we're about to see is an ill-conceived race across the continent in public health and food safety,” charged the International Fresh Produce Association.
According to several NGOs, many shops are already selling fresh produce without plastic packaging without triggering a health crisis. However, Larisa Cobello from Zero Waste Europe pointed out that “we need to move towards local and seasonal products for convenience, rather than packaging fruit and vegetables from other distant countries in plastic”.
Get ready for more effective recycling
Most EU countries require deposit return systems for single-use plastic bottles and metal drinks cans, meaning you pay a small deposit each time you buy one, which is refunded when you return it to the store. – This should ensure that they are actually recycled and do not end up in the landfill or landfills.
Several EU members already have such plans, including Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia and Croatia. Ireland launched a new scheme last month and Belgium is expected to introduce a deposit system for plastic cans and bottles from 2025. Some countries are exempted from setting up these systems if they already collect enough bottles and cans.
No toxic food packaging
Not all harmful chemicals in food come from pesticide use or pollution. Sometimes it all comes down to the packaging.
Scientists have demonstrated that toxic chemicals known as PFAS ('permanent chemicals') can transfer from food packaging to its contents – posing a threat to consumers' health. And it's a widespread problem. McDonald's and Burger King have both been sued in recent years over PFAS in their packaging, for example, prompting them to remove it.
Now the EU will ban chemicals above a certain limit in food packaging by 2026 in a win for environmental and consumer groups.
“We know that many chemicals (plastic and non-plastic) commonly used in food packaging are harmful and may contribute to chronic diseases in our society,” reports Dorota Napierska of Zero Waste Europe, which “encourages a convincing witness. The political climate with the desire to ensure better consumer protection.”
It's time to downsize the boxes
The EU wants to reduce unnecessary packaging by introducing a so-called “maximum empty space ratio” of 50% for transport and e-commerce packaging – which could mean larger cardboard boxes for smaller items in your next online delivery.
Product manufacturers and importers should reject superfluous and purposeless packaging and reduce the weight and size of packaging as much as possible. Packaging that only serves to increase the perceived volume of a product with “unnecessary layers” or “false bottoms”, for example – think of sophisticated perfume bottles – is no longer allowed on the market unless protected by certain design rights and a registered trademark. At the time of publication.
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