- The EU is debating the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation, which sets new targets for the future of the European packaging industry. The UK Cardboard industry supports the ambitions, but recent amendments set a concerning precedent
- Amendments would introduce high levels of reusable packaging that will significantly increase the amount of plastic on the market while, otherwise, society is moving towards decreased levels of plastic. It could see a further 4 million tonnes of plastic packaging by 2030
Massively increasing the use of plastics packaging makes no sense at a time when European society is otherwise trying to reduce plastic pollution, but this is the likely outcome of amendments that have been proposed to the new EU Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) is very concerned about the recently tabled amendments, which fly in the face of the vast majority of public opinion that wants less plastic waste in our parks, on our beaches, and in our oceans. Moreover, it would risk turning around a decade of work to reduce plastic packaging, which goes against the EU’s environmental aspirations in the Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.
In recent days the paper-based industries have been shocked by amendments which would impose mandatory reuse targets for transport packaging. That means significantly more plastic packaging and will penalise paper-based products, which are the most recycled of all packaging materials.
Initial calculations suggest that the amendments could lead to 2.7 billion more plastic crates, weighing 4 million tonnes, on the market by 2030. Washing of just half of these reusable crates could consume 5 billion litres of water. By 2040 this could rise to 8.1 billion crates weighing 12 million tonnes, requiring 16 billion litres of water.
Plastic does not break down easily, so when bottles, wrappers or crates reach the end of their life they remain in the environment. In contrast cardboard is fully renewable, highly recycled (over 80%) and biodegradable. And the cardboard industry's own ambitious decarbonisation roadmap commitments makes such re-use obligations unnecessary.
Andrew Large, Director General of the CPI said, “I am very disappointed to see these amendments put forward. Too many people assume that reusable packaging must always be the right answer – and sometimes it will be, recyclable and reusable packaging both have a role to play – but they do not think about the massive increase in plastic that is required. In very many cases this is short sighted and actually damaging to the environment.”
“Paper-based products which are both recyclable and re-usable, as well as biodegradable, would be penalised with no clear environmental benefit. These proposals contradict the sentiments and direction on the environment, including aspirations set out in the EU Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.”
ENDS
For further information, in the first instance, contact Holly Whitbread ([email protected]).
Notes to Editors:
A peer-reviewed life cycle analysis study shows that recyclable cardboard trays outperform reusable plastics in ten out of fifteen impact categories, including climate change. Further, reusable plastic trays must be reused at least 63 times to be environmentally sustainable.
Summary report: www.fefco.org/sites/default/files/2022/FEFCO_Visual_Overview_v8.1.pdf
Detailed report: www.fefco.org/sites/default/files/2022/FEFCO_Comparative_LCA_study.pdf
CPI is the leading trade association representing the UK’s Paper-based Industries, comprising paper and board manufacturers and converters, corrugated packaging producers, makers of soft tissue papers, and collectors of paper for recycling.
CPI represents an industry with an aggregate annual turnover of £11.5 billion, with 56,000 direct and a further 93,000 indirect employees.