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PPWR regulation to change packaging by 2030

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force in February 2025. The EU wants to make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. How do things stand with PPWR, with general application arriving in August 2026?

Various aspects of PPWR will take effect at different times.

  • February 2025: PPWR entered into force
  • August 2026: General application begins
  • January 2030: Only recyclable packaging meeting performance grade requirements will be allowed on the EU market

By 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be designed for recycling and will be graded by performance. From 1 January 2030, only packaging with a recyclability performance grade of A, B or C will be permitted on the market.

Paper-based packaging is considered a strong candidate under PPWR due to its compatibility with established recycling systems in Europe. Across the region, paper collection and recycling infrastructure is already well developed, enabling efficient material recovery at scale.

PPWR regulation: packaging changes by 2030

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