Not just recycling: the future is reduction

The amount of waste from packaging is at an all-time high, and it is only set to increase. This is confirmed by a report from Eurostat that examines trends in packaging waste generation in the 27 countries of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein over the period from 2009 to 2020. The study highlights the steadily increasing trend in packaging waste generation from 150 kg per capita in 2009 to 177 kg per capita in 2020. 

The use of recycled materials is increasingly encouraged and present in the market. However, the demand for packaging far exceeds both the availability and the rate of production of recycled material that can be used in the packaging of new products. Therefore, recycling cannot be the only line to invest in if the goals of ecological transition and achieving a zero-carbon circular economy by 2050 are to be met.  In fact, EU regulations are increasingly moving in the direction of reducing packaging use as a good collective and individual practice to decrease the amount of waste each citizen produces. 

In particular, in the fall of this year, the European Parliament is expected to expand and supplement European Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, reiterating the importance of respecting the 4R hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover)
The proposal shows a clear focus on reuse through various actions, such as: 

  • affixing a label on packaging containing instructions about the composition and reusability of the packaging. In addition, harmonized labeling is to be adopted for packaging subject to deposit systems to facilitate its traceability and delivery to collection points;
  • prevention of waste generation through the creation and implementation of an effective reuse system; 
  • establishment of a deposit system for single-use plastic bottles and single-use metal containers with a capacity of up to 3L, by January 1, 2028. Not only that, the draft also stipulates that this deposit system will then be expanded to single-use glass and cardboard containers.

Reducing waste generation benefits everyone: ecosystems, businesses, citizens and future generations.

Want to reduce the use of packaging during your purchases? Check out our Reduce and Reuse Points map where you can find water houses and plenty of stores that sell bulk products without packaging and detergents on tap! 

For more information:
Some numbers on recycling in Europe (Polimerica)
Packaging waste: a preview of the European Commission's draft proposal (Renewable Matter) 

Anna Ferrari

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Categoria News