EU reaches provisional deal requiring all packaging recyclable by 2030

The European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on packaging rules requiring all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, with waste reduction targets and single-use plastic bans. For Indian exporters shipping packaged goods to the EU, the rules raise design and recycled-content requirements that will reshape packaging compliance.

The European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on sustainable packaging rules, including a target for all packaging to be fully recyclable by 2030. Packaging accounts for 50% of paper and 40% of plastics used in the EU. The deal sets packaging reduction goals of 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040 through reuse and recycling, bans certain single-use plastic packaging including for fresh fruit and vegetables, and requires member states to collect at least 90% of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers by 2029 via deposit return systems.

Packaging producers, food and beverage companies, and takeaway food businesses are directly affected. Bans target single-use plastic packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables and for food and drinks consumed in cafes and restaurants. Reusable packaging targets apply to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and sales packaging, with takeaway businesses required to offer customers the option to bring their own containers and to aim for 10% of products in reusable formats by 2030. The deal also bans PFAS "forever chemicals" in food-related packaging, affecting packaging chemical suppliers.

Affected companies should prepare for the 2030 full recyclability target and the phased reduction goals of 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040. Beverage producers should anticipate deposit return systems requiring 90% collection of single-use plastic bottles and metal containers. Takeaway businesses should plan for reusable container options and the 10% reusable packaging target by 2030. Producers should note exemptions for compostable packaging and packaging with under 5% plastic weight, and remove PFAS from food packaging. The provisional deal requires formal Council and Parliament approval.

Key figure — Target for all packaging to be fully recyclable: 2030