Stop single-use packaging and useless packaging:what changes with the new EU regulation on recycling and reuse

Some exemptions requested by Italian MEPs pass.Tajani rejoices:«The populist drift towards excessive reuse which penalizes industry and agriculture has been stopped»

Neither Italy's protests nor those beyond were enough 500 amendments presented last week to stop the approval of the Ppwr, the new European regulation on the recycling and reuse of packaging.Today, Wednesday 22 November, the European Parliament gave its green light to the measure, one of the many that make up the European legislative package of the Green Deal.The measure passed with 426 votes in favour, 125 against and 74 abstentions.In recent weeks, following the vote in the Environment Commission, Italy's pressure to bury - or at least attenuate - the new rules had intensified.Not only the Italian government, but also dozens of trade associations and producers in the food and catering supply chain expressed a strongly against the measure.With today's green light, the European Chamber has expressed its definitive position on the provision, thus opening the final phase of negotiations, with the three European institutions - Commission, Parliament and Council - which must find a definitive agreement on the text.Spain, the rotating president of the EU Council, has every intention of closing the issue before the end of the year, in particular at the meeting of environment ministers scheduled for mid-December.

What changes with the new rules

The objective of the Ppwr – acronym which stands for Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – is to reduce the quantity of waste produced in European Union countries by eliminating superfluous packaging, intensifying recycling activity and focusing with more conviction on the practice of reuse.The main innovation introduced by the provision concerns the ban on some disposable packaging starting from 31 December 2027.In the event of definitive approval, by that date light plastic bags smaller than 15 microns and disposable packaging used for fruit and vegetables weighing less than one and a half kilos will have to disappear from circulation.In other words:salad bags, orange nets, tomato baskets and more.The new rules will affect not only large-scale distribution, but also the Horeca sector, i.e. bars, restaurants and hotels.Here too the general line is to overcome single-use once and for all in favor of reuse.For example, packages of shampoo or other liquids smaller than 50ml will be prohibited, while in bars you will have to say goodbye to single-portion sachets of mayonnaise, ketchup, sugar or other condiments.The owners of the premises will also have to guarantee consumers the possibility, if they wish, to fill their own container with loose drinks.

The exemptions requested by Italy pass

Among the innovations introduced today shortly before the vote in plenary there are also some exemptions loudly requested by Italian MEPs.Among the approved amendments, in fact, there are some that bear the signature of numerous MEPs of our country, belonging to very different political forces.The main one request, approved today by the European Chamber, provides for an exemption from the targets linked to reuse for all those countries (such as Italy) that are particularly virtuous in terms of recycling:States that demonstrate that they recycle at least 85% of packaging are exempt from having to also reach reuse targets.A change that was hailed as a victory by the Italian government.«Today in the European Parliament, great victory for Forza Italia and the EPP with important changes to the packaging regulation.The populist drift towards excessive reuse which penalizes industry and agriculture has been blocked", the deputy prime minister rejoiced on Antonio Tajani.

Data on packaging waste

The data on packaging waste is pushing Brussels to update the legislation on recycling and reuse.From 2009 to 2021 this type of waste increased from 66 to 84 million tonnes in EU countries.This means that each European generates on average 188.7 kilos of packaging waste every year.A figure which, in the absence of corrective measures and more stringent rules, is estimated to rise to 209 kg per capita by 2030.The objective set by the new Ppwr rules provides for a gradual reduction of packaging waste:-10% by 2030, -15% by 2035, -20% by 2040.In addition to waste reduction, there is also the push for reuse.The various packaging will in fact have to become mostly reusable, guaranteeing a minimum number of reuse possibilities which has not yet been defined.

The League's protest

Italy is one of the countries that has most openly criticized the new regulation in recent weeks.In fact, the fear is that Brussels' new rules could undermine the efforts made so far in terms of the circular economy.In 2022, Italy confirmed itself as a leader in the European Union in recycling, reaching the 2030 objectives several years early.While the approval was being voted on today in Strasbourg, some League MEPs organized a flashmob of protest.«The text on packaging presented to the European Parliament is a real madness that puts Italy, a model nation for the virtuous system of circular economy, into crisis», declared the MEP Silvia Sardone yesterday.Today, after the approval of the amendments, the Northern League delegation in Strasbourg speaks of an "improved text" and a "danger averted for Italy".«With a proactive and constructive spirit – the Northern League MEPs write in a note – the League has proposed and voted on the amendments to improve the text, to protect the entire production chain which is at the forefront of recycling.However, it remains a provision that was born ideologically, without any impact and scientific analysis to support the lower environmental impact of reuse compared to recycling, which will have to be defended in its modifications in future negotiations".