By Adam 
The EU seeks to put new regulations in place to secure a more sustainable future for packaging. By 2035 the European Union aims to reduce packaging waste by 10% and another 15% by 2040. Using the new DfR (Design for Recycling) grading system, packaging waste will be sorted accordingly. Grade A is equal to 95% recyclable, grade B 80% recyclable, grade C 70% recyclable. Items below 70% are technically non-recyclable and cannot be placed on the market starting 2030. Assessment of recyclability based per unit in terms of weight. DfR rules to be defined through delegated acts by 2028.
In the 2010s concerns rose for single use plastic, warnings of missed content targets. In 2022 the European Commission proposed the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR for short.) This regulation replaced the PPWD from 1994. The PPWR is aimed at preventing and reducing packaging waste and improving recyclability and recycling. It also pushes the use of circular materials in packaging, circular materials such as paperboard. The PPWR goes into effect in 2025.
Paperboard, the material that is becoming a popular choice amongst brands. Because of its unique fiber blends of wood and recycled materials, paperboard can be recycled up to 10 times, sometimes more. The paperboard life cycle is simple. Raw materials are brought to a paperboard mill where they are processed and moved to innovative packaging, then they are delivered to retailers, brands and consumers. Once the consumer is done with the paperboard packaging they recycle it and the process starts over again. Reuse. Reduce. Recycle.
Paperboard is made all over the globe. Graphic Packaging International designs and manufactures high quality paperboard and other food related packaging. Founded in 1978, based in Atlanta Georgia, GPI runs many paperboard mills across the states. They make a variety of paperboard types, such as bleached and unbleached paperboard. They source and make their products responsibly and strive to make the world a more sustainable place, providing paperboard to brands and consumers worldwide.
In the next few years development of secondary legislation starts, and in 2028 standardized, mandatory labels for waste sorting on all waste receptacles and consumer packaging begins. Meaning, all labels on recycling bins and trash cans must follow the same visual design, and color coding pattern. This will become the legal requirement for all waste recycling bins. Aiding consumers in sorting waste properly.
By 2030 all packaging in the EU must meet DfR grading criteria. Most plasticing packaging and parts in the EU must meet initial minimum recycled content targets. Single use plastic will face restrictions all together. Items such as fresh fruit containers, paper cups, lids, forks and spoons will all see restrictions in the years to come.
Currently 87% of paperboard is recycled in Europe while only 42% of plastic is recycled, (Source: Eurostat 2023.) By 2035 all packaging in the EU must be recycled at scale. And by 2038 all packaging in the EU must meet stricter criteria for recyclability. The EU is taking big strides toward a more recyclable future for packaging and materials. Learn more about this at Graphic Packaging International.
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