The European Parliament has adopted by a large majority a new directive on packaging and packaging waste. The text includes measures to prevent the production of waste, but also to promote the reuse and recycling of certain types of packaging.
EU national governments agreed on Friday (15 March) to a new regime of packaging waste rules, following a dramatic few weeks during which the European Commission threatened to veto an agreement reached between governments and the European Parliament.
The European Parliament on Wednesday (13 March) backed targets for the prevention and reduction of food and textile waste across the bloc. However, environmental NGOs have criticised the proposal's lack of ambition.
The Council of EU member states voted on Monday (18 December) in favour of more exemptions for carboard and wine bottles from reuse targets in a bid to shore up support for the EU’s packaging waste regulation ahead of decisive talks with the European Parliament to finalise the law next year.
The European Parliament adopted its position Wednesday (22 November) on legislation to reduce packaging waste, after a tense debate on the role of reuse, recycling and bans.
Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s environment committee voted on Tuesday (24 October) their position on a new law to tackle packaging waste in Europe as discussions become increasingly fraught.
Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s environment committee will vote on their approach to new rules tackling packaging waste on Tuesday (24 October) amid warnings from environmental groups that the law risks being watered down due to a concerted pushback from Italian MEPs.
The European Union wants to reduce waste by encouraging recycling and reuse in its new packaging law, but the pressure is on to get the right definition and criteria for what constitutes "high-quality" recycling.
An overhaul of the European Union’s packaging rules, aimed at driving more sustainability in the sector and reducing waste, is being delayed by the complexity of the legislation, according to several lawmakers working on the file.
Reusable packaging options could produce less emissions than single-use for some types of takeaway packaging, as long as collection, return and washing systems are efficient, according to a study published on Tuesday (5 September).
Targets to boost the reuse of packaging in the restaurant sector have been deleted by the European Parliament lawmaker in charge of negotiating a new law on packaging waste, according to a set of amendments seen by EURACTIV.
Prioritising the most environmentally-friendly ways of dealing with waste, starting with prevention and reuse, should be central to Europe’s new packaging law, lawmakers working on the file told EURACTIV.
Packaging manufacturers and the recycling industry have warned about the "huge challenges" lying ahead before the EU can achieve its planned targets to rein in packaging waste.
Environment ministers from the European Union's 27 member states, led by Italy and Belgium, want more flexibility in implementing the bloc's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), tabled by the European Commission in November.
A shift from single-use recyclable packaging to reusables in the informal eating-out sector could have detrimental effects on the environment, the economy and food safety, according to a new study commissioned by McDonald’s.
The EU's proposed packaging regulation, designed to reverse the growing amount of waste generated in Europe, is set to cause frictions as policymakers in the European Parliament and EU countries hash out their position.
The lack of waste collection targets in the EU’s new packaging law risks hampering the ability to increase recycling rates and could even see packaging banned in some places if countries fail to properly collect it, the beverage carton industry has warned.
The European Commission's new packaging law has drawn criticism from manufacturers, who warn against a shift of focus from recycling to reusing materials. While the new proposal is watered down, concerns remain.
A new EU packaging law proposal has sparked major concerns among the EU food industry, who warn it is unworkable for food business operators - but NGOs slammed heavy industry lobbying for watering down the proposal.
The European Commission on Wednesday (30 November) tabled proposals to tackle rising amounts of packaging waste in the EU by introducing new targets for reuse and recycling.
The European Commission is due to propose a new law to tackle packaging waste on Wednesday (30 November) with watered down reuse targets after an outcry from industry, according to a leaked draft of the new regulation, seen by EURACTIV.
The European Commission wants to reduce the environmental impact of packaging by mandating that producers use a minimum amount of recycled plastic in new packaging placed on the market.
Defining what counts as “recyclable” has become a point of contention in the EU’s overhaul of its packaging waste law, with recyclers pushing for high targets and manufacturers concerned products will not meet the threshold.
While the European Commission aims to encourage the use of recycled materials in its upcoming packaging law, it also recognises that recycling has its limits and cannot meet all the demand.
