On 15 March, the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on an update of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). While the European hospitality industry, represented by HOTREC, welcomes and supports the new rules, it has warned of the impracticality of some of the objectives.
1. Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The proposal considers the full life cycle of packaging and establishes requirements to ensure that packaging is safe and sustainable, by requiring that all packaging is recyclable and that the presence of substances of concern is minimised, covering 4 main topics.
1.1. Sustainability requirements and recycled content in packaging
The agreement strengthens the requirements for substances in packaging by introducing a restriction on the placing on the market of food contact packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) above certain thresholds.
It also maintains the 2030 and 2040 headline targets for minimum recycled content in plastic packaging, except compostable plastic packaging and packaging whose plastic component represents less than 5% of its total weight, which are exempt from the targets.
The new rules would reduce unnecessary packaging by setting a maximum empty space ratio of 50% in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging, and requiring manufacturers and importers to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging are minimised, except for protected packaging designs.
1.2. Re-use targets and re-fill obligations
The text sets new binding re-use targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040. The targets vary depending on the type of packaging used by operators: alcoholic and non‑alcoholic beverages (excluding wine and aromatised wines, milk and other highly perishable beverages), transport and sales packaging (excluding packaging used for dangerous goods or large-scale equipment and flexible packaging in direct contact with food) and grouped packaging.
Cardboard packaging is generally exempted from these requirements. Micro-enterprises are also exempt from attaining those targets and introduce the possibility for economic operators to form pools of up five final distributors to meet the re-use targets on beverages.
The Parliament and Council laid down an obligation for take-away businesses to offer customers the possibility of bringing their own containers to be filled with cold or hot beverages or ready-prepared food, at no additional charge. Additionally, by 2030, take-away activities must endeavour to offer 10% of products in packaging formats suitable for re-use.
1.3. Deposit return systems (DRS)
Under the new rules, by 2029, Member States must ensure the separate collection of at least 90% per annum of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers. To achieve that target, they are required to set up deposit return systems (DRSs) for those packaging formats. The minimum requirements for DRS will not apply to systems already in place before the entry into force of the regulation, if the systems in question achieve the 90% target by 2029.
1.4. Restrictions on certain packaging formats
The new rules introduce restrictions on certain packaging formats, including single-use plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables, for food and beverages, condiments, sauces within the hospitality sector, for small cosmetic and toiletry products used in the accommodation sector, such as shampoo or body lotion bottles, and for very lightweight plastic bags, for example, those offered at markets for bulk groceries.
2. Hospitality industry impact
Banning miniature plastic hotel cosmetics is a step forward, yet targeting all single-use packaging for toiletry in hotel rooms is unreasonable and impractical.
Marie Audren, HOTREC Director General
HOTREC commends the EU legislators’ efforts to promote sustainability through the new rules, clarifying that hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés recognise the importance of responsible waste management and that the industry remains committed to playing its part in the transition.
However, the organisation has expressed concern over the “imbalance between ambitious environmental goals and the practical needs of the hospitality sector”, asking for clearer and more consistent limitations on single-use plastic packaging in hotels and restaurants.
Moreover, the refill and reuse obligations imposed on operators could cause liability issues, according to HOTREC. “While well-intentioned, measures imposing refill and reuse at no extra cost would put added pressure on efficiency and profitability, detrimental to the food sector where margins are tight”, the organisation said in a statement.
Lastly, HOTREC urges EU legislators to carefully address these concerns through secondary legislation. The organisation asks for collaboration and dialogue in the journey to environmental sustainability and a thriving hospitality industry.
