Packaging waste significantly contributes to ecosystem pollution on land and in the oceans. The scale of the problem is so massive that, according to UNEP research, between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems every year.
Furthermore, packaging production consumes significant amounts of natural resources, such as water and energy, and is responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions, further contributing to climate change.
Reducing packaging waste is essential to protecting natural resources. To this end, the EU has prepared the PPWR Directive, a significant step that supports the EU's broader environmental goals, including the European Green Deal, by promoting a closed-loop economy in which resources are conserved and waste is minimised.
What does the 2024 PPWR regulation cover?
The year 2024 marks a significant milestone in the packaging industry. On 24 April 2024, the European Parliament adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), a regulation that will contribute to the transition to a closed-loop economy. Once in force, the PPWR will replace Directive 94/62/EC on packaging.
The PPWR sets a comprehensive framework to prevent packaging waste and promote reuse and recycling. This regulation will revolutionise the packaging industry with significant changes to reduce waste. Here are the key elements of this directive:
- Recycling obligation by 2030
One of the most significant changes introduced by the PPWR is the requirement for all packaging to be recyclable by 2030. This ambitious target requires a complete redesign of many packaging formats.
- Reduction targets
The PPWR specifies that packaging waste must be reduced by 5% by 2030, followed by a 10% reduction by 2035 and a 15% reduction by 2040.
These targets prompt companies to rethink their packaging strategies, focusing on minimising material use and optimising packaging performance.
- Banning the use of certain single-use plastics
From 2030 onwards, PPWR will ban particular single-use plastic packaging, including that used for small toiletries and fresh produce.
- Investment in recycling and waste management
Significant investments are being made in recycling infrastructure and waste management to comply with the new regulations.
PPWR and the Circular Economy
The PPWR regulation was created to promote the principles of a closed-loop economy, such as the reuse, recycling, or recovery of packaging materials, to close the waste cycle. By fostering sustainable packaging, companies are encouraged to rethink their supply chains and optimise them for efficiency and environmental performance.
At Rotom, we actively promote sustainability to increase efficiency and productivity. In doing so, we reduce the environmental impact of our operations, use packaging responsibly, prevent deforestation by reducing waste, and efficiently use existing resources.
To this end, we implement sustainable solutions incorporating environmental, social, and economic considerations throughout the production and distribution chain.
Below, we will discuss these critical aspects in relation to the objectives of the PPWR directive.
Pooling and Packaging Recovery - Reuse of logistics media
One of the most critical aspects of the PPWR is the emphasis on reusable packaging. By encouraging the use of sustainable, reusable containers, the regulation aims to reduce reliance on single-use packaging. While this change will be particularly noticeable in the B2C sector, it has implications for the overall promotion of a sustainability culture among consumers and businesses.
Logistics operations can also make sustainable use of packaging. Through pooling or packaging recovery, waste can be clearly reduced, packaging costs can be lowered, and operational efficiency can be improved.
How do Pooling and Packaging Recovery work?
Both services work very similarly, the difference being mainly in who owns the logistic carriers. The essence of both processes is to change the functioning of packaging from a ‘disposable’ mode to a ‘circular’ mode, i.e., replacing disposable packaging with reusable logistics media that your company can use repeatedly.
We can implement a pooling service when our client does not have its own logistics media. We then provide suitable packaging and manage it as reusable packaging.
Packaging recovery takes place for logistics carriers owned by our customers. Our role is to obtain this packaging from its end customers and put it back into circulation.
In both cases, we create a sustainable packaging cycle that reduces waste, improves supply chain efficiency, and, above all, significantly reduces costs.
Watch the animation below and learn all the advantages of a sustainable packaging cycle.
At Rotom, following the same principles in the pallet repair process, we have significantly reduced the amount of waste by recovering serviceable parts from damaged pallets. These components are reused in other repaired pallets. This reduces pallet waste by up to 70%.
Benefits of PPWR Compliance for companies
While PPWR compliance can be challenging for companies due to changes in packaging approaches and processes, it is also an opportunity for growth. Companies already adopting sustainable logistics practices gain a competitive advantage by adapting to consumer demands.
The awareness of our customers, whether in the B2C or B2B sector, is constantly growing. Increasingly, decisions to choose a supplier are being made based on their sustainability efforts. Awareness of the limited natural resources from which we all draw is increasing.
When it comes to sustainable packaging services, we have seen from many companies' experience that using practices such as pooling, recovery, or repair of packaging brings significant cost savings and greater operational efficiency. Companies save on the costs associated with purchasing, storing, and managing their own carriers, while streamlined logistics and reduced administrative burdens allow companies to operate more efficiently.
PPWR is essential for resource conservation
Analysing the needs of the planet, it is undoubtedly the case that PPWR is not just a legal requirement but a necessary part of more comprehensive efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
By reducing the proliferation of single-use packaging and promoting materials that are easier to recycle, PPWR directly contributes to reducing the environmental burden of consumerism. It also supports a shift in attitudes towards using carriers in logistics, encouraging companies to change their strategies to more sustainable practices in their supply chains.
At Rotom, we specialise in selecting the proper logistics media and sustainable ways of using them through optimum utilisation. We are happy to advise you on how to use carriers in a way that makes your supply chain greener, more efficient, and more resilient to market disruption. If you have questions about packaging management, we would be happy to talk to you. Contact us, and our specialists will help you optimise your supply chain.
