Topic

Recycled content in plastic packaging

From 1 January 2030 the plastic part of packaging must contain minimum post-consumer recycled content: 30% for contact-sensitive PET packaging, 10% for contact-sensitive packaging in other plastics, 30% for single-use plastic beverage bottles, and 35% for all other plastic packaging. From 1 January 2040 those rise to 50%, 25%, 65% and 65%. Targets are calculated per packaging type and averaged per manufacturing plant per year. Exemptions cover, among others, medical and infant-food packaging, dangerous goods, compostable plastic packaging, and plastic parts under 5% of total packaging weight.

What you must do

• Split your plastic portfolio into the four target categories.
• Secure recycled feedstock and the certificates and third-party audit evidence of its origin.
• Set up per-plant, per-year calculation and record keeping.

Dates that apply

• 1 January 2029Recycled-content calculation rules bind
• 1 January 2030First recycled-content targets for plastic packaging
• 1 January 2040Higher recycled-content targets

Source: Article 7 (minimum recycled content in plastic packaging).