In the EU, significantly more packaging will need to be recyclable in the future. Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU countries agreed yesterday in Brussels.
Parliament announced that certain disposable packaging, such as fresh unprocessed fruit and vegetables or individual sugar packaging, for example, will be banned from 2030. The objective is to gradually reduce packaging waste by at least 15% by 2040 , compared to 2018.
However, member states still have to approve the new rules. From 2030 onwards, in addition to regulations for the restaurant sector, the commitment stipulates, among other things, the ban on plastic films for suitcases at airports and lightweight plastic bags in supermarkets. However, packaging made from paper and other materials continues to be widely permitted.
According to the agreement, food packaging will no longer be able to contain permanent chemicals that are particularly long-lasting and considered harmful to health. Member States must set up deposit systems for plastic bottles and disposable beverage cans. The packaging industry will also have to comply with mandatory reusable quotas in the future.