Reverse reusables regulation? EPPA calls on EU to revise packaging waste directive around new science

21 Nov 2022 --- The European Paper Packaging Alliance (EPPA) is issuing another plea for the European Commission (EC) to revise its hardline position on reuse targets in its upcoming revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD).

The draft documents indicate that the EC intends to prioritize reuse and refill schemes for plastic packaging, with mandatory reuse targets for beverage bottlers of 20% by 2030 and 75% by 2040. 

The request follows the latest evidence from a new life cycle analysis (LCA) study – commissioned by EPPA – which shows that recyclable, paper-based packaging in the food delivery and takeaway sector offers significant environmental advantages over reusable systems across 12 impact categories – including climate change, freshwater consumption and resource depletion.

"We support the EU’s circular economy ambitions but urge the EC to design a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation proposal that is based on the available science and that will work for all Europeans. Setting unrealistic and discriminatory reuse targets is not the way forward," Matti Rantanen, director general of EPPA,  tells PackagingInsights. 

The recently leaked draft “sets unrealistic and discriminatory reuse targets for in-store dining and takeaway services. The EC should embrace the scientific evidence that single-use, paper-based containers are far more practical for food delivery services and their customers, improving hygiene and convenience, performing better on key environmental metrics,” adds Eric Le Lay, president at EPPA. 

EPPA has again asked the EC again to revise its stance on single-use paper packaging based on scientific findings. Reuse consumes resources
The LCA results show that switching to reusable alternatives would generate 48% more CO2-equivalent emissions, consume 39% more freshwater and demand 82% more mineral and resource extraction than virgin material. 

"Life cycle analysis data clearly shows that renewable and fully recyclable paper-based packaging is not only far more practical for restaurants and food delivery services as well as their customers, improving hygiene and convenience, but simply performs better than reusable alternatives on key environmental metrics," continues Rantanen. 

“Europe and the entire world face energy and water scarcity and food shortages, yet the Commission’s current proposals would escalate carbon emissions and resource depletion, accelerate water stress and increase food waste,” says Antonio D’Amato, vice president of EPPA.

“We should instead be working together on sustainable solutions for the environment, the economy and employment. We are convinced that the circular economy is the only way to provide sustainable solutions for the environment, economy and employment.”

Transporting food and beverage containers back to restaurants after use, washing and drying them consumes more energy, water and resources than some single-use counterparts.

EPPA says the EC needs to “put the full product life cycle at the heart of its vision for a circular economy” and not outlaw packaging solutions that are more environmentally sustainable. 

“This is more proof that reusable packaging is not always the best solution for the environment. It is imperative that proper life cycle analysis be reflected in the text of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation proposal,” adds Le Lay. EPPA and other packaging industry groups have called on the EC to lessen restrictions on single-use items for monetary and environmental reasons. Image Caption

However, reusable packaging systems continue to gain traction. Today, we reported that Just Eat for Business is expanding its partnership with ClubZerø by implementing a returnable packaging system across London, UK, to tackle single-use waste originating from the foodservice packaging industry.

The previous plea
This plea is not the first time EPPA has called on the EC to revise the PPWD. In June, it asked the commission to focus on findings from a meta-analysis by the engineering consultancy Ramboll, which suggested single-use paper-based packaging is more environmentally sustainable than reusable formats.

EPPA is also not the first to ask the EC to change its plan nor the only one. Last month, the European beverage associations rallied against what they deemed “disproportionate and unjustified” plastic bottle reuse targets by the EC. The associations asserted the draft measures would inflict “astronomically high” costs and put numerous SMEs out of business. 

Additionally, a group of over 50 European packaging associations across the value chain released a statement expressing “serious concern” over the revision plans for the PPWD this month. The groups accuse the EC of dismissing the role of recycling and assert the plans are “unworkable at best and crippling for whole sectors of the European industry at worst.” 

By Sabine Waldeck