Packaging & packaging waste

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Climate Neutrality Roadmap 2050 for the Corrugated Cardboard Industry

The corrugated Cardboard industry aims to produce carbon neutral packaging by 2050, provided the prerequisite conditions are met, notably by the decarbonisation of the paper and energy sectors.

Cardboard packaging boss: ‘It is possible to reach climate neutrality earlier than 2050’

The corrugated cardboard sector can achieve climate neutrality before 2050 if a set of enabling conditions are met, including a stable and predictable regulatory framework to steer investments in clean technologies, Eleni Despotou told EURACTIV in an interview.

Packaging makers ‘still concerned’ about reuse targets in new EU law

The European Commission's new packaging law has drawn criticism from manufacturers, who warn against a shift of focus from recycling to reusing materials. While the new proposal is watered down, concerns remain.
Agrifood 30-11-2022

EU packaging law proposal branded ‘unworkable’ by food industry

A new EU packaging law proposal has sparked major concerns among the EU food industry, who warn it is unworkable for food business operators - but NGOs slammed heavy industry lobbying for watering down the proposal.
Circular economy 29-11-2022

Brussels set to propose watered down EU packaging law after industry outcry

The European Commission is due to propose a new law to tackle packaging waste on Wednesday (30 November) with watered down reuse targets after an outcry from industry, according to a leaked draft of the new regulation, seen by EURACTIV.

Sustainable packaging no longer a nice-to-have for future-fit businesses

The food delivery sector is a major contributor to packaging waste, and by focusing on the sustainability of its packaging it can attract a larger consumer base while doing good for the planet, writes Sébastien Pellion.

EU’s draft reuse targets for packaging meets barrage of criticism from industry

A leaked draft of the EU’s new packaging law, seen by EURACTIV, has caused uproar among the industry, which says it risks undermining years of efforts and billions of euros worth of investments into recycling.

EU readies new law to cut packaging waste from e-commerce

The European Commission is preparing to unveil new legislation which for the first time envisages measures to limit packaging size as well as the amount of “empty space” in boxes shipped around Europe by online retailers.

EU’s upcoming ‘digital product passport’ will include packaging, official says

Although packaging as such won’t be regulated as a separate product category under the EU’s proposed eco-design rules for everyday consumer goods, it will be incorporated in the overall assessment of their environmental footprint, an EU official has said. Over-consumption...

Europe must set the bar high on packaging reuse systems to curb waste

The revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) is a rare opportunity to scale up a competitive reuse sector in Europe and reverse a half-century addiction to single-use packaging and record levels of waste, writes Delphine Lévi Alvarès.
Circular economy 05-07-2022

Recycling cannot meet 100% of demand for packaging, EU official cautions

While the European Commission aims to encourage the use of recycled materials in its upcoming packaging law, it also recognises that recycling has its limits and cannot meet all the demand.
OpinionPromoted content

Towards a science-based approach in the packaging debate

As the European Commission prepares to publish the revision of the packaging and packaging waste legislation, the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) has released a series of three scientific studies comparing recyclable and reusable packaging solutions.
OpinionPromoted content

Successful reuse in foodservice requires time and flexibility

Achieving a new balance in the way food and drinks are served in single use and reusable containers requires careful preparation, progressive introduction and feasible timelines to be safe, sustainable and sustained long-term.
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Media Partnership – The revision of the EU’s packaging and packaging waste rules

This event was organised by the European Paper Packaging Association (EPPA). EPPA represents food and foodservice packaging companies from across Europe. Their priority is to provide paper-based low carbon and health-safe products with a low environmental impact and improved recycling solutions to the European population. EPPA supports science-based EU policies that foster sustainable and efficient use of resources and recognises the major role that packaging, as essential infrastructure, can play in that common objective.
OpinionPromoted content
Climate change 08-06-2022

Single use paper-packaging – Europe’s chance to meet its climate ambitions

Packaging has been a focus of environmental policies for a number of years and for good reason. The simple existence of what is considered a seventh continent called the Great Pacific garbage patch is a reminder of the damage associated with poor packaging and recycling systems, but also an incentive to act.

Commission likely to push for recycled PET in food packaging despite concerns

The European Commission will soon decide whether to allow the use of recycled plastics in food packaging despite some suggesting this could endanger consumer health.
Circular materials 17-03-2022

EU recycling chief: product policy should embrace circular economy

With the European Commission due to present its Sustainable Products Action Plan on 30 March, Emmanuel Katrakis takes stock of the EU's push for a more circular economy in an interview with EURACTIV France.
Circular economy 16-02-2022

High recycling rate of PET bottles questioned in new study

PET bottles used as packaging for soft drinks and mineral waters are often touted as the greenest type of plastic, with one of the highest recycling rates in the industry. But those claims are new being challenged by new research.
Circular economy 27-01-2022

Simpler design seen as key to recycling-friendly food wrappers

Simple design and using at least 90% of the same plastic is the key to easy-to-recycle packaging for foods like crisps and chocolate, according to the industry.
Special ReportOpinionPromoted content

Circular economy starts with the right design but it doesn’t end there

The world faces some formidable environmental challenges, from the climate crisis to plastic waste and deforestation, but they are not insurmountable. With a will, and with the right resources, we can tackle them. This is a task for all of...
Circular economy 24-01-2022

‘Flexible packaging’ – a test case for the EU’s recycling push

Lightweight soft packaging such as crisp packets or wrapping for chocolate bars are giving headaches to European recyclers who currently have little incentive to buy the collected material. The European Commission will seek to address this in July with its planned revision of the EU’s packaging and packaging waste directive.

Big brands call for global pact to cut plastic production

International brands including Coca Cola and PepsiCo called on Monday (17 January) for a global pact to combat plastic pollution that includes cuts in plastic production, a key growth area for the oil industry.
OpinionPromoted content

Growing inside Glass: In Conversation with the FEVE Secretary General

Packaging waste, sustainable shopping, climate change, and Coronavirus vaccines: the FEVE Secretary General reflects on past achievements and future challenges, as the UN names 2022 the International Year of Glass.

Recycling of packaging waste: the collection conundrum

The EU has a goal to increase packaging waste recycling, but reaching it will depend on whether local authorities increase and improve collection.

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