EU Parliament takes on green packaging

The European Parliament gears up for a significant legislative battle as a text promoting sustainable packaging faces amendments after intense corporate lobbying. 

With packaging waste reaching 188.7 kg per person in 2021, the proposed legislation aims to reduce per capita packaging waste by 10 per cent by 2035, with a target of 15 per cent by 2040.

Here are the highlights and key focus:

1. The legislation emphasises a shift from recycling to reuse, imposing binding levels for various sectors like e-commerce, catering, and alcoholic beverages. However, potential exemptions, especially for drink bottles, are under discussion, depending on amendments adopted by MEPs.
2. A significant legislative project aspect is maximising recycling through targeted waste collection. States may be obligated to implement a deposit system for bottles and metal cans if the collection rate falls below 85 per cent.
3. The legislation sets ambitious targets, aiming for at least 90 per cent separate collection of packaging materials such as aluminium, plastic, wood, glass, etc, by 2029. Additionally, it proposes making all packaging sold recyclable by 2030.
4. While promoting recycling, the legislation sets specific objectives for reducing plastic packaging waste, targeting a 10 per cent reduction by 2030 and a 20 per cent reduction ten years later.
5. An annexe to the text proposes a ban on specific single-use packaging from 2030, including miniature bottles, plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables, and single-use containers for condiments, sauces, or coffee creams. The legislation faces opposition, particularly regarding a ban on single-use containers in cafe-restaurants.

Higher demand for aluminium follows: 

The EU's aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 is a significant step toward achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This necessitates a dual transition: decarbonising the energy system and ensuring autonomy by accessing and transforming critical raw materials (CRMs).

The chart highlights the five CRMs with the highest demand in the EU in 2020 and presents the projected demands for these CRMs in 2030 and 2050. 

Aluminium is poised to play a pivotal role in Europe's shift to a sustainable future, as the demand for aluminium is anticipated to surge by 543 per cent from 2020 to 2050. It is a crucial component in various clean energy technologies prioritised in the net-zero industry act.