How to reduce packaging waste in the EU (infographics)
Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend.
Packaging comes in different formats (bottles, containers, cans, boxes, bags), is made of different materials (paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, wood, metal) and used in all stages of production, from raw materials to processed goods. Manufacturers, transporters, supermarkets, restaurants, households - they all need and use packaging to protect and transport goods.
What is packaging?
- Products used to contain, protect, handle, deliver or present goods
How much packaging waste do we generate?
All this packaging has its environmental cost. On average, each EU resident generated 189 kilos of packaging waste in 2021. Over ten years, the amount has increased by over 20%.
Numbers vary between countries, from as low as 74 kilos per person in Croatia, to 246 kilos per person in Ireland.
In 2021, the EU generated a total of 84.3 million tonnes of packaging waste, 4.8 million tonnes more than a year before. Most of it was paper and cardboard (40.3%), followed by plastic (19%), glass (18.5%), wood (17.1%) and metal (4.9%).
Some 64% of packaging waste was recycled in 2021 and about 80% was recovered, which means that the waste has been treated in one way or another so that it can serve a useful purpose in the future (this also includes recycling).
EU rules on packaging and packaging waste
The EU rules on packaging and packaging waste cover both packaging design and packaging waste management. Their goal is to harmonise national measures, prevent the production of waste and increase reuse, recycling and recovery. They also set minimum requirements packaging on the EU market must meet.
These rules date from 1994 and were modified in 2018. As part of the EU efforts to create a circular economy by 2050, the Commission proposed a new revision of the rules in November 2022. Parliament and Council reached a deal on and MEPs approved it in April 2024 .
What will the new rules bring?
The goal is to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging and increase its safety and sustainability. There is a special focus on plastic packaging as it is particularly harmful for the environment.
More specifically, the new rules will:
- Set packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040)
- Ban different types of plastic packaging: very light weight plastic carrier bags, plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables, small individual portions for sauces, sugar and similar products, miniature packaging for toiletry products and plastic wrapping for suitcases in airports from January 2030
- Ban from January 2030 persistent pollutants (also known as forever chemicals) used to fireproof or waterproof food packaging that might affect our health
- Encourage reuse and refill options by setting specific targets for reusable packaging for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (at least 10% by 2030) and providing the possibility for consumers to bring their own containers for take away food and drinks
