The European Union adopted a new set of regulations to reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging in 2024. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) oblige businesses to reduce single-use plastic packaging that ends up in landfills and replace them with sustainable and reusable alternatives. In this article, the Logistic Packaging experts will explain how reusable plastic packaging help your company meet PPWR compliance criteria and optimize your logistics and operational costs,
Key Aspects of EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations
The European Union has an ambitious short and medium term plan to reduce waste, pollutions and carbon footprint. We are at the very last point where we may reverse climate changes and preserve a safe and healthy environment for the future generations.
The PPWR focus on reducing single use packaging – one of the main sources of pollution that ends up in landfills, contaminating the soil and groundwater. Single-use plastic packages are the main problem, because they are made of non-recyclable materials, such as polystyrene, low-density polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.
The packaging reduction targets under EU PPWR are as follows:
- 5% by 2030
- 10% by 2035
- 15% by 2040.
Also, starting with 2030, some types of single-use plastic packaging materials will be banned across the EU territory. These will include:
- Packaging for unprocessed fruit and vegetables
- Packaging for food served and consumed in restaurants and cafes
- Very lightweight (below 15 microns) plastic carrier bags.
The ban also includes food packaging containing the so-called “forever chemicals”, such as PFAS, above certain thresholds where there is direct contact with the product.
How Reusable Plastic Packaging Materials Help with PPWR Compliance
Although the deadlines set by the EU regulations appear sufficiently distant to allow transition, our packaging specialists recommend making the change as soon as possible. Adopting reusable plastic packaging containers, pallets and crates has many benefits, beyond PPWR compliance.
Let us highlight the most important benefits related to PPWR, operational and cost optimization:
1. Standard Sizes Encourage Packaging Reuse
One of the main problems of implemented long cycles of use for packaging among companies is the lack of standardization for footprints. Warehouses, manufacturers, retailers and other stakeholders interconnected in the supply chain have their own internal logistics processes. They use various types of racking systems, conveyor belts and material handling equipment.
This is why reusable plastic pallets and containers are designed with standard sized footprints. They can be seamlessly integrated into any logistic flow, reducing the need to move products from one type of packaging to another. In this way, a single type of returnable plastic packaging can replace countless single-use packages.
2. Returnable Plastic Packages Are Sustainable and Recyclable
One of the biggest misconceptions still running around – even at C-Suite level – is that all plastic is bad and polluting. Reusable plastic boxes and trays are made from a by-product of crude oil processing. No raw materials are used specifically to make these plastic packaging materials.
Moreover, the types of plastic they are made of – high density polyethylene and polypropylene – are 100% recyclable. In fact, some of the ranges of plastic containers in our catalogue are made from recycled materials.
3. Adequate for Adding Traceability Features
Traceability is one of the key requirements for PPWR compliance. Reusable plastic packaging has special standard or optional features to help companies trace any item to its point of origin:
- Integrated label holders
- Smooth surfaces for attaching label holders
- Ability to print barcodes or QR codes by hot stamping
- Ability to embed RFID tags.
These features are also essential to speed up order picking and organizing merchandize in warehouses and store backrooms.
Logistic Packaging is your one-stop-shop for all packaging needs and for expert advice to optimize your logistic operations and costs. Send us an email to discuss your need for PPWR compliance and we will recommend the best types of packages!