The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

06 Jan The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

With the introduction of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European Union has taken decisive action to reduce waste, improve recyclability, and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The rules affect every sector that places packaged goods on the EU market so it is very important for Canadian exporters and Dutch importers to prepare for the various stages.

What is the PPWR?

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (2025/40) is the EU’s legislative framework governing the design, use, reuse, and disposal of packaging. This is not simply an update of the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), which member states implemented differently, the PPWR is a Regulation—making it directly applicable across all EU countries without any national transposition. This shift demonstrates the EU’s commitment to ensuring consistent progress on waste reduction throughout all EU countries.

The PPWR aims to:

• Reduce packaging waste across Europe.
• Ensure all packaging is recyclable by 2030.
• Increase the use of recycled materials in packaging.
• Lower the use of virgin raw materials.
• Support Europe’s pathway toward climate neutrality by 2050.

The regulation applies to any material intended to contain, protect, handle, deliver, or present products, covering everything from transport packaging to food containers and e-commerce parcels. Two of the key regulations are;

All packaging must be recyclable by 2030

By 2030, all packaging—from cardboard to plastics—must be designed for effective and efficient recycling. To qualify as recyclable, packaging must:

• Be designed for recycling.
• Be easily collected separately.
• Fit into known waste streams.
• Produce secondary raw materials of high enough quality to replace virgin materials.
• Be capable of large-scale recycling by 2035.

What it means for Canadian companies: packaging formats that are difficult to recycle, contain mixed materials, or contaminate recycling streams will need a complete redesign.

Packaging minimisation (weight and volume)

The PPWR introduces strict rules against unnecessary packaging. Companies must:

• Minimise empty space (maximum 50% empty space ratio in grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging).
• Avoid non-functional design elements that artificially increase volume (e.g., double bottoms, excessive layers).

Business implication: e-commerce, retail, and logistics sectors will need to optimise packaging formats, reduce filler materials, and document compliance. Furthermore, retail packaging designed to discourage theft of high value items may need to be redesigned.

Further information

This blog from the Holland International Distribution Council (HIDC), covers the topic in more detail. The HIDC is the association of and for the logistics sector in the Netherlands.