New Law to Cut Packaging Waste Goes Further Than UK Regulations on Single-Use Plastics

Small bottles of shampoo will be banned from European hotels, while takeaways will have to give consumers more chances to bring their own reusable bags or containers under the new green packaging law. The legislation is the result of years of campaigning to eradicate single-use plastics in a push for more sustainable packaging, following an agreement between the European Parliament and the European Council. According to Reuters, each European generates roughly 190 kg (419 pounds) of packaging waste per year. Negotiators agreed on packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040), requiring EU countries to reduce the sheer amount of plastic packaging waste.

For the very first time, the European Union is setting targets to reduce packaging consumption, irrespective of the material used. The proposal for a revamp of the rules governing plastic waste goes beyond UK regulations on single-use plastics introduced last year. As we can all remember, from October 1st, 2023, businesses are no longer allowed to supply, sell, or provide certain single-plastic items, including but not limited to cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups, and food containers. It’s an essential step in the mission against plastic pollution, as it helps protect the environment and prevent litter.

European Law Will Apply in Northern Ireland in The Limited Areas Required Under the Protocol

Northern Ireland holds a singular position in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland was developed as a stable and lasting solution; it applies alongside any agreement on the future partnership. Northern Ireland is, therefore, subject to a finite number of EU regulations in spite of having left the EU together with the UK. At least 10% of packaging for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will have to be reusable by 2030. Very small businesses are exempted from this target. By 2029, all European states will have to set up a deposit return system for at least 90% of single-use plastic bottles and cans.

Indeed, the UK has some single-use plastic prohibitions, but overall progress is slower than in the EU. Paula Chin, Senior Policy Advisor (Consumption) at WWF-UK, highlights there’s a need for more ambitious legislation to drive waste reduction via eco-design and enable reusable and refillable packaging solutions to achieve circularity. There will always be some scenarios where there’s room for interpretation, so enforcement must be considered on a case-by-case basis. The EU’s proposal represents a major shift as far as recycling requirements, specific targets, and mandatory standards are concerned. The targets for packaging waste reduction and mandatory reuse or refill containers should be broadly applied across the EU as well as in the UK.

Data Uncovers an Increase in The Plastic Exported by The UK For Recycling In 2023

The unsustainable production and consumption of plastic have been maintained by exporting waste to countries with lower energy and labour costs, with catastrophic consequences for ecosystems, workers, and communities alike. Recoup, the UK’s leading independent authority and trusted voice on plastics resource efficiency and recycling, has found an increase in the amount of plastic shipped abroad for recycling the previous year. More than 25% was sent to Turkey; the material would have otherwise gone to the landfill or incineration. The European Commission agreed on a deal to forbid the export of plastic waste to countries outside the OECD (Croatia, Bulgaria, Malta, Romania), but this still leaves other receiving destinations.

One of the most critical steps in the recycling process of plastic waste is the collection of recyclables. All local authorities in the UK ensure the curbside collection of plastic bottles, with some offering the collection of plastic pots, tubs, and trays. Waste is transported to a recycling centre where it can be sorted and cleaned, then shredded, melted, and palletised so it can be used as raw material for manufacturing new products. To ensure maximum productivity and be sure employees have a safe working environment, different machinery options are used to manage plastic waste without mishap. Plastic is often exported for recycling due to a lack of recycling infrastructure to manage the volume of waste generated.

As Part of The Transition Towards the Circular Economy, Companies Must Reformulate Their Packaging

The UK acknowledges the importance and benefits of the PPWR (Proposal Packaging and Packaging Waste) deal to limit single-use plastics, which advances the sustainability and the circularity of packaging materials within Europe. It’s mandatory across all industries, and measures against loopholes will be introduced in the near future. The EU intends to ban specific packaging formats, such as packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit/vegetables and individual portions of condiments. On account of the ban, brands require a packaging redesign. More precisely, they must source alternative supplies and account for additional costs, not to mention use up the excess inventory.

Needless to say, consumer safety, food safety, and unavoidable food waste must be taken into consideration. The way regulations affect consumers must be examined separately, according to the facts of the particular situation, with risk assessments reviewed and recorded if there are any changes. Non-compliance with legal obligations can result in civic sanctions like fines and criminal prosecution (in the most severe cases). Reputational damage is also an issue, given stakeholder scrutiny, which shapes CSR signals’ credibility. All packaging should be recyclable under the new guidelines, so it’s necessary to rethink the role of plastic in business completely.

Concluding Thoughts

All things considered, the EU is introducing new measures to curb the spiralling rise of plastic packaging, placing bans on more types of packaging and encouraging the reduction of plastic waste. While alternatives to single-use plastics require less energy to produce, the impact of processing these products responsibly can be enormous. The recycling rate of plastic packaging in the UK from household and commercial sources stood at 52% in 2023, which means that progress has slowed down. UK-based companies that export their products to the EU and EU-based businesses that import products to the UK must take into account the PPWR at a compliance and strategic level.