Recyclability/ design for recycling
Who for: all producers and importers of packaging
When: regulation takes effect from 2030, more information available in 2027
All packaging released on the market must be recyclable. From 2030, the following recyclability criteria (fleshed out in 2027) will apply:
- Designed for recycling
- Easy to collect separately
- Easy to sort into specific, homogeneous output flows
- Recycling in a way that conserves primary raw materials
By the start of 2028, the European Commission will publicise directives for design for recycling, including so-called recycling performance grades (RPGs). These are recyclability scores, expressed as a percentage of the weight of the packaging that is recyclable, and will apply from 2030.
From this date, a distinction will be made between 22 types of packaging (excluding packaging cf. SUP legislation). For each of these packaging types criteria will be drawn up how the RPGs must be calculated.
There are 3 classes of RPGs:
- Class A: 95% recyclable or more
- Class B: 80% recyclable or more
- Class C: 70% recyclable or more
From 2030, only class A, B and C packaging will be allowed onto the market. Packaging that is less than 70% recyclable must, therefore, no longer be released on the market. Pricing will be in accordance with the RPGs.
Further details about the RPGs follow in 2027 via so-called secondary legislation.
From 2035, all packaging must be recyclable at scale. This means that in relation to every individual type of packaging, wherever this is released in the EU by a producer, at least 55% will be recycled (excluding wood, the figure being 30%). This will be elaborated further in 2030, also via so-called secondary legislation.