The overhaul of the EU packaging rules, presented by the EU executive on Wednesday (30 November), aims to tackle the ever-growing source of waste and \u201cconsumer frustration\u201d, according to a Commission statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On average, each European generates almost 180 kg of packaging waste per year. Meanwhile, the packaging is one of the main users of virgin materials as 40% of plastics and 50% of paper used in the EU is destined for packaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWithout action, the EU would see a further 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030, and for plastic packaging waste even a 46% increase,\u201d the statement sets out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
New targets are proposed for reuse in a number of sectors including beverages, take-away food and transport. This is supported by an overall waste prevention target of 5% by 2030 and 10% by 2035.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will create the right conditions for the circular economy principles \u2013 reduce, reuse, recycle \u2013 to work,\u201d Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevi\u010dius said at the back of the presentation of the proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the EU food industry has warned that concerning details lie beneath the proposal\u2019s pretty packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u200b\u200bAs a major packaging user, the food and drink industry will play an important role in the proposal\u2019s success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a statement from FoodDrinkEurope, the proposal will require \u2018significant improvements\u2019 to be workable for food business operators to achieve the \u201ccollective ambition for sustainable packaging and a circular economy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Dirk Jacobs, director general of FoodDrinkEurope, said the proposal had some positive aspects, he warned it \u201clacks tools to support the food, drink and packaging sectors with the infrastructure and enablers to allow faster uptake of reduce, re-use and recycling processes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe targets and timelines set out, in particular on re-use and re-fill, are well-intended but regrettably unrealistic without appropriate enabling conditions and could even hamper rather than enhance \u2013 sustainable packaging aims,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the Commission\u2019s proposal still leaves \u201ctoo much space for divergent\u201d national initiatives, the association said, warning this could further fragment the single market and run counter to the proposal\u2019s objective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, campaign group ReThink Plastic lamented the fact that strong industry pushback had already seen the reuse targets watered down, despite the fact that major beverage companies are still \u201ccoming out as top plastic polluters globally\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n