Reuse / refill
For whom: all economic operators
When: mandatory by 2030
The PPWR sets the following targets for reuse by 2030:
- Transport packaging or primary packaging used for dispatch: 100% for dispatch within establishments of the same company or to other companies in the same Member State and 40% to companies in other EU Member States*
- Bulk packaging to keep stock or form a distribution unit: 10%*
- Sales packaging for beverages, sold by the supplier of the filled beverage: 10%*
The definition of sales packaging is new and appears to include both primary and last-minute packaging.
*% based on total number of units put on the market
The following rules apply:
- Paper/cardboard boxes are excluded.
- If necessary, Member States may impose stricter measures to achieve their prevention target.
- Distributors, retailers and suppliers must jointly set up a system for reuse or refill.
- Pool systems are allowed, a maximum of 5 participating companies/brands per system.
The obligation regarding transport packaging contains a potential lock-in. When a company dispatches transport packaging to another company abroad, it is required that 40% of it must be reusable. However, if the foreign recipient wishes to further distribute this packaging within its own country, this company is obligated to ensure 100% reusability. This means that, in practice, the original sender must take this target of 100% reusability into account as well.
Refill
End distributors with a sales area of at least 400 m2 aim to dedicate 10% of their sales area to refill stations.
Bring your own and reusability in the catering industry
From the beginning of 2027, providers who operate in the catering industry and who
- provide hot or cold drinks in take-away packaging, must have a system that allows consumers to bring their own cup or mug ('container'), which can be filled there and then.
- provide food suitable for direct consumption from its packaging and that is normally contained in take-away packaging, must have a system that allows consumers to bring their own bowl or tray ('container'), which can be filled there and then.
From 2028 onwards, catering businesses will be required to provide 10% of their packaging for the aforesaid purposes in the form of reusable variants.
The above obligations may not be offered at higher prices, or in less favourable conditions. Suppliers must notify consumers at the point of sale via clearly legible signs or displays that they can bring their own cup, bowl or container.
From the beginning of 2028, the above companies will be required to offer consumers reusable packaging within a reuse system. Suppliers must also inform consumers at the point of sale via clearly legible signs or screens that they can bring their own cup, bowl or tray.