Understanding the New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
As a global leader in industrial packaging, Greif is committed to sustainability and ensuring our customers are well-prepared for upcoming regulatory changes. One of the most significant developments in packaging legislation is the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Below, we provide an overview of this regulation, its objectives, key measures, and how Greif can help you navigate these changes.
Please note this information does not constitute legal or packaging advice. This is a general non-exhaustive summary of the PPWR based on publicly available information. Customers should refer to publicly available information shared by relevant EU and national authorities and their internal regulatory compliance teams.
This page was last updated on 14 April 2025.
What is the PPWR?
The PPWR is a European Union regulation aimed at reducing packaging waste, increasing recyclability, and promoting a circular economy. Unlike previous directives, the PPWR is legally binding across all EU member states without the need for national implementation, ensuring uniformity in packaging rules.
This new regulation introduces amongst others:
- Waste reduction targets to minimize unnecessary packaging.
- Strict design criteria ensuring all packaging is recyclable.
- Reuse targets requiring businesses to ensure a percentage of packaging is designed for multiple uses before disposal or recycling.
- Mandatory use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in plastic packaging.
- Eco-modulated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees, rewarding sustainable packaging choices.
By setting these standards, the PPWR aims to reduce packaging waste, boost re-use and recycling and create a harmonized and environmentally friendly packaging landscape across Europe.
The PPWR entered into force in February 2025 and includes a transition period for compliance with certain obligations, with the first target date set for August 12, 2026. Both the European Commission and EU Member States will continue to issue secondary delegated acts and implementation measures on various aspects of the PPWR. We advise customers to closely monitor these developments to ensure compliance based on their specific circumstances.
Key Timelines and Implementation
PPWR officially enters into force, offering a transition period for compliance.
First date for businesses to comply with certain requirements for substances in food contact packaging.
- All packaging will need to comply with Design for Recycling criteria, to be defined in secondary legislation (recyclable at scale 2035).
- Minimum PCR content requirements for plastic packaging apply.
- First reuse targets apply, for 40% of packaging volume.
- Packaging minimization becomes mandatory, limiting empty space in packaging design.
- Increased PCR content requirements.
- Further reductions in packaging waste and expanded reuse targets.
What are the key requirements?
- EU-wide targets for the member states to reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% (2030), 10% (2035), and 15% (2040) based on 2018 levels.
- Bans on certain single-use plastic packaging, such as shrink wrap and small condiment sachets.
- By 1st January 2030, all packaging must be recyclable by design (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
- By 1st January 2035, all packaging must be recyclable at scale* (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
*At scale means that sufficient infrastructure and capacity must exist across the EU to collect, sort, and process the material into new products efficiently and economically.
- For transport and sales packaging used for transportation (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- At least 40% of total packaging volume must be reusable within a re-use system by 2030, and
- Aim for 70% by 2040
- For transport packaging and sales packaging used for transportation between different sites belonging to the same business, or between different businesses within the same EU country (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- 100% of total packaging volume must be reusable within a system of reuse
Plastic packaging must include recycled content (Post Consumer Resin (PCR)) (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging). The percentage depends on how packaging is classified (material, usage, contact sensitivity):
Packaging Type | 2030 | 2040 |
|---|---|---|
Food Packaging | 10% | 25% |
Non-food Packaging | 35% | 65% |
All packaging must minimize the use of substances of concern by August 12, 2026. Specific thresholds apply to heavy metals (for all packaging) and to BPA and PFAS (for food-contact packaging).
Depending on its use and reusability, packaging must feature specific labels or QR codes, such as:
- Material Composition
- EU harmonized sorting instructions
- Reuse instructions
- Mandatory QR codes to enhance tracking
- EPR fees to be paid by parties placing their packaging products on the market, will be based on recyclability performance grades from A to C, encouraging sustainable design choices.
- Incentives for using recycled content, as well as lightweight and fully recyclable packaging.
What are the key requirements?
Packaging Waste Reduction:
- EU-wide targets for the member states to reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% (2030), 10% (2035), and 15% (2040) based on 2018 levels.
- Bans on certain single-use plastic packaging, such as shrink wrap and small condiment sachets.
Recyclability:
- By 1st January 2030, all packaging must be recyclable by design (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
- By 1st January 2035, all packaging must be recyclable at scale* (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
*At scale means that sufficient infrastructure and capacity must exist across the EU to collect, sort, and process the material into new products efficiently and economically.
Reuse:
- For transport and sales packaging used for transportation (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- At least 40% of total packaging volume must be reusable within a re-use system by 2030, and
- Aim for 70% by 2040
- For transport packaging and sales packaging used for transportation between different sites belonging to the same business, or between different businesses within the same EU country (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- 100% of total packaging volume must be reusable
Recycled Content:
Plastic packaging must include recycled content (Post Consumer Resin (PCR)) (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging). The percentage depends on how packaging is classified (material, usage, contact sensitivity):
Packaging Type | 2030 | 2040 |
|---|---|---|
Food Packaging | 10% | 25% |
Non-food Packaging | 35% | 65% |
Substances of Concern:
All packaging must minimize the use of substances of concern by August 12, 2026. Specific thresholds apply to heavy metals (for all packaging) and to BPA and PFAS (for food-contact packaging).
Labelling:
Depending on its use and reusability, packaging must feature specific labels or QR codes, such as:
- Material Composition
- EU harmonized sorting instructions
- Reuse instructions
- Mandatory QR codes to enhance tracking
Eco-Modulated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fees:
- EPR fees to be paid by parties placing their packaging products on the market, will be based on recyclability performance grades from A to C, encouraging sustainable design choices.
- Incentives for using recycled content, as well as lightweight and fully recyclable packaging.
How Can Greif Help?
Our sustainability strategy and business model are rooted in circular economy principles. With our extensive expertise and diverse portfolio of solutions, we are uniquely positioned to deliver innovative, sustainable, and circular products and services.
Greif is proactively working to implement the PPWR across its organization, as relevant and applicable. We are committed to complying with the specific requirements outlined in the regulation from the applicable dates and we are currently reviewing our portfolio to ensure compliance with PPWR, while maintaining product integrity and performance.
Recyclable Products
Our plastic and steel products are largely recyclable by design, supported by our comprehensive suite of barrier protection alternatives.
Packaging Optimization
Packaging optimization, reducing waste and increased use of recycled materials is a cornerstone of our strategy. Lightweighting, downgauging, and prioritizing recycled materials are integral to our product design process whilst maintaining product integrity and performance. We have a range of lightweighted products such as NexDrum/Valerex, JCR Jerry cans and IBCs.
PCR Products
We have been incorporating recycled materials such as post-consumer resin (PCR) into our products for many years. We use PCR in Greif products including IBCs, small and large plastics drums, jerrycans, and pallets.
Life Cycle Services (LCS)
Our LCS network provides access to used steel, plastic, and paper products that advance circularity and help our customers meet PPWR requirements. In North America and Europe, we collect and recondition used steel, plastic, and IBC packaging products, making them suitable for reuse and resale. In 2024, our LCS network collected 3.6 million containers, reconditioned or remanufactured more than 2.6 million of these containers and recycled the remaining containers.
Packaging Optimization
Packaging optimization, reducing waste and reliance on virgin raw materials is a cornerstone of our strategy. Lightweighting, downgauging, and prioritizing recycled materials are integral to our product design process whilst maintaining product integrity and performance. We have a range of lightweighted products such as NexDrum, JCR Jerry cans and IBCs.
PCR Products
We have been incorporating recycled materials such as post-consumer resin (PCR) into our products for many years. We use PCR in Greif products including IBCs, small and large plastics drums, jerrycans, and pallets.
Life Cycle Services (LCS)
Our LCS network provides access to used steel, plastic, and paper products that advance circularity and help our customers meet PPWR requirements. In North America and Europe, we collect and recondition used steel, plastic, and IBC packaging products, making them suitable for reuse and resale. In 2024, our LCS network collected 3.6 million containers, reconditioned or remanufactured more than 2.6 million of these containers and recycled the remaining containers.
Stay Ahead of PPWR Changes
The PPWR represents a major shift in packaging regulations, and early preparation is key. At Greif, we are committed to helping our customers navigate this transition smoothly. Contact your sales representative to explore sustainable packaging options and ensure your compliance with the new EU regulations.
As a trusted leader in the circular economy, we are well-equipped to help you rethink your packaging strategies and successfully adapt to these evolving regulations.
Please note this information does not constitute legal or packaging advice. This is a general non-exhaustive summary of the PPWR based on publicly available information. Customers should refer to publicly available information shared by relevant EU and national authorities and their internal regulatory compliance teams.
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