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Environment

Packaging waste

EU rules on packaging and packaging waste, including design and waste management.

Overview

Full frame of trash plastics and cans on white background
© Getty Images, curtoicurto

EU law covers all packaging and packaging waste on the European market, including all materials and packaging in commercial, household, industrial and other sectors.

The rules, first laid out in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC (PPWD) and now the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 (PPWR), regulate what kind of packaging can be placed on the EU market, as well as packaging waste management and prevention measures.

All packaging must comply with essential requirements related to its manufacturing, composition, and reusable or recoverable nature.

Read the factsheet here.

40%
of plastics used in the EU are in packaging
1/2
of marine litter is from packaging
186.5 kg
of waste generated in the EU per person in 2022

Objectives

The PPWR entered into force on 11 February 2025 and its general date of application is 18 months after that. 

The rules aim to minimise the quantities of packaging and waste generated while lowering the use of primary raw materials and fostering the transition to a circular, sustainable and competitive economy.

It aims to:-

  • Make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030.
  • Safely increase the use of recycled plastics in packaging.
  • Decrease the use of virgin materials in packaging and put the sector on track to climate neutrality by 2050.

Law

The PPWR establishes a new set of requirements in line with Europe's waste rules that cover the entire packaging life cycle – from product design to waste handling.

The new rules include:-

  • Restrictions on certain single-use plastics, such as for individual portions or sachets of condiments and sauces.
  • A requirement for take-away businesses to offer customers the option to bring their own containers at no extra cost.
  • Minimising substances of concern, including restrictions PFAS if they exceed certain thresholds.

The PPWD will be repealed 18 months after the PPWR enters into force. However, some provisions of the existing regulation will continue to apply even after that date.

Implementation

The requirements in the PPWR will be further specified in harmonised standards for packaging, guidelines, and subsequent adoption of implementing and delegated acts. Further information on the implementation of the PPWR will be published soon.

On 16 December 2024, DG Environment organised an online stakeholder event to prepare for the implementation of and smooth transition to the new rules. Find a recording and slides from the event here.

Timeline

Key dates related to EU policy on packaging

  1. 12 August 2026
    General application date of PPWR provisions
  2. 11 February 2025
    PPWR enters into force
  3. 30 November 2022
    Commission adopted revision of EU rules on Packaging and Packaging Waste

    Find out more

  4. September 2020 - January 2021
    Open public consultation on the review of requirements for packaging and other measures to prevent packaging waste

    See more about the public consultation

  5. 30 May 2018
    Packaging Directive amended to reinforce prevention and to promote reuse and recycling of packaging waste
  6. 29 April 2015
    Packaging Directive amended to reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags
  8. 20 December 1994
    Packaging Directive enters into force

Related links

Contact

For questions about EU environmental policy, please contact Europe Direct.

News

A pile of used plastic bottles
  • News article
Plastic packaging waste in the EU: 35.3 kg per person

In 2023, 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste were generated in the EU, or 177.8 kg per inhabitant. While this marks a reduction of 8.7 kg per capita compared with 2022, the figure remains 21.2 kg higher than in 2013.

  • 1 min read
See all news on Plastics