EU eyes higher recycled content requirements

This story has been updated.

Online delivery packaging, takeaway cups and plastic drink bottles could see new targets for reuse and recycled content under proposals from the European Commission. 

The commission announced the revisions of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive on Nov. 30. The changes are in line with meeting the EU’s goal of making all packaging reusable or recyclable by 2030. 

Before becoming law, the changes would need to be approved by the European Parliament, which is 705 directly elected representatives from the nations, and the European Council, which consists of 27 EU governments.

In a draft reported on by Reuters, the 2018 recycling targets of 65% by 2025 and 70% by 2030 stayed the same. That year was the last time the directive was updated.

The most recent revisions apply to recycled content targets, setting the rates to 30% for plastic drinks bottles and PET contact-sensitive packaging, 10% for non-PET contact-sensitive packaging and 35% for other plastic packaging by 2030. Contact-sensitive packaging is that which touches food or medical supplies. 

The draft proposal would also increase those targets to 50% for all contact-sensitive packaging and 65% for other packaging, including beverage bottles, by 2040. 

On the reuse side, takeaway drink cups would have to be reused at a rate of 20% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, beer and soft drink containers would have reuse targets of 10% by 2030 then 25% by 2040, and non-food online delivery packaging would have to hit 10% and then 50%.

Companies would be required to set up systems to ensure reuse.

This story was updated Dec. 1 with the released revisions to the directive.

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