By 2030, all packaging in the EU market will be required to be fully recyclable as per new proposed rules unveiled by the European Commission aimed at tackling growing packaging waste and supporting the EU’s climate and environmental goals.
In a statement, it is being said that according to the Commission, without action, packaging waste, which has already reached almost 180 kg per person per year in Europe, would increase by a further 19 per cent by 2030, with plastic packaging waste increasing by 46 per cent. Packaging accounts for 40 per cent of plastics and 50 per cent of paper used in the EU.
The new proposals have set a target to reduce packaging waste by 15 per cent by 2040 per Member State per capita through reuse and recycling. Companies would be required to offer a certain percentage of their products to consumers in reusable or refillable packaging, and some standardisation of packaging formats and clear labelling of reusable packaging will also be introduced.
Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal introduced the new rules and said that the proposals would “reduce packaging waste, promote reuse and refill, increase the use of recycled plastics and make it easier to recycle packaging.”
He further added that European citizens are eager to be rid of over packaging and unnecessarily bulky packages, and businesses are ready to move forward with sustainable, innovative packaging solutions and systems.
The proposed rules would result in a 23 million tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, reduce water use by 1.1 million cubic metres and reduce environmental damage costs by € 6.4 billion.
Though the majority of Indian apparel exporters are taking care of packaging by using recycled material, the new rules will force all exporters to use recycled material.
