The text awaits formal adoption by both the European Council and the European Parliament. Credit: photka via Shutterstock.

European lawmakers have reached a provisional agreement on a proposal for the regulation that aims to make packaging more sustainable and reduce waste within the EU.

The proposed regulation aims to harmonise the market for packaging and promote a circular economy.

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This provisional agreement sets a target of cutting packaging waste in the bloc by 5% by the end of this decade, compared with the amount in 2018. 

Specifically, it aims to reduce packaging waste by 10% in 2035 and 15% by 2040. 

The draft text agreed by the EU’s 27 nations and lawmakers sets out to address the rise in packaging waste and introduces requirements for packaging to be both safe and sustainable.  

It features binding reuse targets, restricting some kinds of single-use packaging, and measures to minimise the use of packaging by economic operators. 

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Regarding the minimum recycled content requirements in plastic packaging, this provisional deal maintains the aforementioned 2030 and 2040 targets. 

However, exemptions are made for compostable plastic packaging and packaging with a plastic component under 5% by weight.  

It mandates the European Commission to evaluate the technological development of biobased plastic packaging within three years of the regulation’s implementation and establish sustainability criteria accordingly. 

Deposit return systems will also be implemented to meet the regulation, with existing systems being exempted if they achieve a 90% collection rate by 2029. 

There is an obligation for takeaway businesses to offer their customers the opportunity of bringing their own containers to be filled with beverages or ready-prepared food, at no extra charge.  

Furthermore, takeaway businesses are required to offer a minimum of 10% of their products in packaging formats suitable for reuse by 2030. 

This provisional deal awaits formal adoption by both the European Council and the European Parliament.