The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) has adopted revamped rules to reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging in its member nations. 

The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have approved the report regarding the parliament’s mandate for negotiations with EU governments on the packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR).

The session saw 426 votes in favour and 125 votes against the adoption of the PPWR's negotiations, with 74 abstentions.

The proposed regulation aims to reduce packaging, restrict the use and circulation of certain types of packaging and ban the use of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, also called ‘forever chemicals’, as well as Bisphenol A.

Another key agenda of the revamped proposal was to change the initially proposed packaging reduction targets to achieve a 10% reduction by 2030, 15% by 2035, and 20% by 2040.

European Parliament ENVI rapporteur Frédérique Ries said: “By voting to ban ‘forever’ pollutants in food packaging, the European Parliament has shown that it seeks to protect the health of European citizens.

“Regarding plastics, the contract has been fulfilled, since my legislative report tackles the heart of the issue by setting tougher waste reduction targets for plastic packaging.

“Unfortunately, on the circular economy, and prevention in particular, the outcome of the plenary vote is not so positive and ignores the reality of the figures: a 30% increase by 2030 if we don't act now. Of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), only recycling escaped unscathed. The end of throwaway packaging is still a long way off!”

Moving forward, the parliament is now planning to commence discussions with the national governments of all the EU member countries to support the final formation of the law, after the European Council adopts its position.

The latest move builds on the ENVI’s previous discussions held in October this year to clarify the stance of MEPs on adopting the proposed PPWR.