The Role of Closed Loop Circularity in Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

**Title: Understanding Circular Packaging: EU Legislation and Its Implications**

**Video Description:**
In November 2022, the European Commission proposed a revision of the EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste to address the alarming increase in packaging waste generation and the need to recycle finite resources back into the economy[^1^]. This video explores the concept of circularity in packaging and its definition, including whether it requires a closed loop system or if recycling for diverse end uses is sufficient. It also raises questions about considering future uses and origins of materials.

The impact of packaging waste is staggering, with each European generating nearly 180 kg of packaging waste annually[^1^]. Packaging accounts for a significant portion of virgin materials used, such as 40% of plastics and 50% of paper produced in the EU being designated for packaging[^1^]. Without intervention, the EU is projected to experience a further 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030, and a 46% increase in plastic packaging waste[^1^].

To address this challenge, the proposed EU regulation seeks to implement measures and targets aimed at increasing reduction, recycling, and reuse of packaging[^1^]. However, stakeholders in the food and beverage industry argue that the legislation does not adequately define and promote a closed loop vision of circularity and high-quality recycling[^1^]. They claim that the existing recycling efforts predominantly focus on PET, leading to concerns of greenwashing and the limited availability of recycled materials suitable for food-contact grade packaging[^1^].

Moreover, competition for recycled food-contact grade materials from non-food sectors poses a potential obstacle in meeting minimum levels of recycled content targets[^1^]. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the proposed regulation in enabling each sector to close the loop on their packaging[^1^].

Join the EURACTIV Virtual Conference as industry experts discuss the meaning of circularity in packaging, the role of consumers in defining it, and the definitions of terms like greenwashing, downcycling, and high-quality recycling[^1^]. Additionally, the conference will examine whether the European Commission’s proposed revision adequately supports the food and beverage industry in achieving closed-loop packaging systems and if it enables other sectors to close their packaging loops[^1^].

For more EU news and information, please visit our [EURACTIV webpage](https://www.euractiv.com/). Stay updated by following us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/EURACTIV), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/EURACTIV), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/euractiv/)[^1^].

*Keywords/Tags: EURACTIV, News, EU, Europe, European Union*

*Video transcript: The transcript for this video is available on the [EURACTIV website](https://www.euractiv.com/).*

**Sources:**
[^1^]: [EURACTIV](https://www.euractiv.com/)

At the end of November 2022, the European Commission released a proposed revision of the EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, with the aim of stopping the dramatic increase of packaging waste generation and increasing the proportion of finite resources recirculated back into our economy.

But how do we define circularity? Does it need to happen in a closed loop or is recycling for diverse end uses enough? Do we take into account the future uses of a material as well as its origin?

On average, each European generates almost 180 kg of packaging waste per year. Packaging is one of the main uses for virgin materials as 40% of plastics and 50% of paper produced in the EU is destined for packaging. Without action, the EU would see a further 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030, and for plastic packaging waste even a 46% increase.

The European Commission’s proposed revision attempts to tackle this problem by introducing measures and targets to increase reduction, recycling and reuse of packaging. However, some stakeholders in the food and beverage industry argue that European legislation does not properly define and promote a closed loop vision of ‘circularity’ and ‘high-quality recycling’.

PET is the only product stream currently recycled on a large scale. Food and beverage sectors claim that by using recycled PET in non-food applications, nonfood sectors break the circularity loop as recycled PET cannot be used for the purpose it was first designed for: high-quality, food-contact material. This, they say, amounts to greenwashing. Adding to the dilemma, food and beverage sectors believe competition from non-food sectors for recycled, food-contact grade materials may make it impossible to reach the targets for minimum levels of recycled content.

Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss what circularity actually means and how a fair definition and practice, satisfying both consumers and industry, can be reached. Questions to be addressed include:
– What is a circular product? Can consumers play a role in the understanding and defining of ‘circularity’? And how can we define terms such as greenwashing, downcycling, high-quality recycling?
– Can the Commission’s PPWR proposal ensure that the food and beverage industry can fully close the loop on their packaging?
– Does the PPWR do enough to enable each sector to close the loop on the packaging they put on the market?

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