The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

home/Newsroom/News & insights/Understanding the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Understanding the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Goods need packaging for protection and safe transportation. Despite increased recycling efforts, packaging waste in Europe continues to grow. Key challenges include inefficient use of packaging, use of non-recyclable materials, and lack of recycled content. Additionally, unclear labelling and symbols make it difficult for consumers to sort materials for recycling. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to tackle the growing volume of packaging waste in the EU. It also seeks to harmonise the internal market for packaging and promote a more circular economy. The regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and will generally apply from 12 August 2026.

As a leading provider of packaging, components and insulation solutions, BEWI supports the European Union’s goal of enhancing circularity and promoting recycling. To assist our customers and partners in understanding the European Commission’s regulations, we provide an overview of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), including its objectives and key measures.

This article provides a summary of the PPWR based on information available to BEWI at the time of publication. It is not intended as legal advice. Readers are advised to consult publicly available resources from relevant EU authorities and seek independent legal counsel as needed.

This page was updated on 09 July 2026

What is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)?

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is EU’s legal framework for packaging and packaging waste. The regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and will generally apply from 12 August 2026

The PPWR is an important contribution to reach the objectives of the European Green Deal¹ and the circular economy action plan, as well as the commitments of the 2018 Plastics Strategy.

¹According to the European Green Deal (and the PPWD), 55% of all plastic packaging must be recycled by 2030

Has the PPWR entered into force?

The European Commission presented the proposal on 30 November 2022. The final regulation was adopted in December 2024, published in January 2025 as Regulation (EU) 2025/40, entered into force on 11 February 2025, and will generally apply from 12 August 2026.

The PPWR repeals and replaces Directive 94/62/EC, although certain transitional provisions continue to apply during the implementation period.

Key objectives of the PPWR

The PPWR sets a new and ambitious approach to packaging waste and measures to achieve several objectives, including the following:

Prevent and reduce packaging waste, by restricting unnecessary packaging and obliging reuse or refill systems where possible

Make all packaging in the EU reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030, establishing package design criteria, deposit and return schemes, and standardised symbols and labels for recycling

Increase the use of recycled content in packaging, with mandatory percentages for new plastic packaging, same rules applying to all

Decrease the use of virgin materials in packaging and put the sector on track to climate neutrality by 2050

Key measures proposed in the PPWR

The following measures are described. Additional information regarding the implementation of these measures will be provided in the coming months and years.

Reduce packaging waste

EU countries will be required to reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040, compared to 2018 levels.

Minimum recycled content in packaging

By 2030, mandatory minimum recycled content²for plastic packaging is:

30% for contact sensitive packaging made from PET
10% for contact sensitive packaging made from other plastic materials
30% for single use plastic beverage bottles
35% for other plastic packaging

Targets increase in 2040

²Recovered from post-consumer plastic waste that has been collected and recycled in the EU or in a third country in accordance with standards equivalent to those that apply to an installation in the EU

Fully recyclable packaging

By 2030

All packaging in the EU will need to be recyclable
All packaging will need to comply with Design for Recycling criteria (to be defined in further legislation) to increase recycling rates
Extended Producer Responsibility fees to be paid by businesses will be based on recyclability performance grades, ranging from A to C

Reduce over-packaging

By 2030

Maximum 50% empty space allowed for grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging
Ban on certain formats and forms of unnecessary packaging

Mandatory reuse or refill targets

By 2030

Only reusable packaging should be used for transport packaging between different sites belonging to the same business, or between different businesses within the same EU country
For other transport packaging: at least 40% reusable packaging
For grouped packaging (packaging used to group sales units together): at least 10% has to be reusable
Cardboard packaging is excluded from reuse targets

Targets increase in 2040

Mandatory labels on packaging

Labels on all packaging and corresponding labels on recycling bins to facilitate correct waste sorting by consumers, or labels with reuse instructions where applicable

Compostable packaging

Mandatory compostability for some packaging types, where composting is environmentally beneficial, for example tea/coffee bags and capsules, and sticky labels attached to fruit and vegetables.

Mandatory deposit return system for plastic bottles and aluminium cans

How will the PPWR affect you?

The PPWR will transform how we design, use, and dispose packaging throughout the value chains in the EU. Most packaging categories will be impacted by the measures outlined in the PPWR, meaning that all businesses should prepare for the upcoming changes.

How can BEWI help?

BEWI collects used EPS and mechanically recycle it to new raw materials. Our Certified Recycled EPS (CREPS) offers our customers raw materials and end-products suited for food – and pharmaceutical packaging based on recycled feedstock. CREPS meets the requirements of minimum recycled content in packaging proposed in the PPWR, reducing CO₂ emissions, and avoiding plastic taxes that already is into effect in some European countries. In addition, BEWI’s has a wide offering of paper packaging and reusable packaging solutions. Contact one of our sales experts to know more.

With our reusable, recyclable and recycled product portfolio, we are well-positioned to assist our customers in meeting the new regulatory changes.

References:

environment.ec.europa.eu/publications

europa.eu/en/publication-detail