JRC technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels under the packaging and packaging waste regulation

This report outlines a technical proposal for EU harmonised waste sorting labels based on insights from behavioural and participatory design research. Specifically, it proposes the harmonised visual and systemic design of consumer-facing labels applicable to packaging waste, to be applied on packaging and waste receptacles. The proposal is based on extensive desk research, systematically gathered empirical evidence from citizen workshops, surveys, and experiments, as well as insights from expert stakeholder workshops and consultations. The report outlines a comprehensive conceptual and visual proposal consistent with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation—particularly its ambition to reduce internal market barriers—and the various waste sorting schemes existing in the Member States. It makes evidence-based recommendations for a flexible, yet harmonised conceptual approach based on informing consumers about the material composition of packaging and communicating correct sorting instructions through matching labels on packaging and waste receptacles, and for a flexible, yet harmonised visual approach ensuring consumer understanding and salience across Member States, while aiming to provide adequate flexibility for their use on packaging and waste receptacles. The report proposes a level of granularity specifying the distinct labels required based on theoretical and practical considerations. Importantly, the report also highlights challenges identified, compromises that had to be made, and need for future work given the complex interplay of regulatory requirements, citizen and expert stakeholder preferences, practical limitations and best practices from behavioural and design research. In its entirety, the report aims at informing the Directorate-General for the Environment in creating the implementing acts outlined in Articles 12(6) and 13(2) of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

Authors: BRUNS Hendrik ; BORSELLO Alessandro; DUPOUX Marion ; HAMARAT Yaprak ; MILIOS Leonidas; PAPA Francesca

Citation: BRUNS, H., BORSELLO, A., DUPOUX, M., HAMARAT, Y., MILIOS, L. et al., JRC technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels under the packaging and packaging waste regulation, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2026, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/8070242, JRC141706.

Date available: 2026-01-13

Publisher: Publications Office of the European Union

JRC-number: JRC141706

ISBN: 978-92-68-35148-2 (online)

ISSN: 1831-9424 (online)

Other identifiers: EUR 40581 , OP KJ-01-25-651-EN-N (online)

URI: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC141706

DOI: 10.2760/8070242 (online)

Source

JRC Publications Repository, press release, 2026-01-13.

Supplier

European Commission
European Union

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