The EU seeks to put new regulations in place to secure a more sustainable future for packaging. By 2035 the European Union aims to reduce packaging waste by 10% and another 15% by 2040. Using the new DfR (Design for Recycling) grading system, packaging waste will be sorted accordingly. Grade A is equal to 95% recyclable, grade B 80% recyclable, grade C 70% recyclable. Items below 70% are technically non-recyclable and cannot be placed on the market starting 2030. Assessment of recyclability based per unit in terms of weight. DfR rules to be defined through delegated acts by 2028.

In the 2010s concerns rose for single use plastic, warnings of missed content targets. In 2022 the European Commission proposed the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR for short.) This regulation replaced the PPWD from 1994. The PPWR is aimed at preventing and reducing packaging waste and improving recyclability and recycling.…