How to comply with the PPWR requirements?

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) establishes guidelines for packaging and packaging waste in Europe. Since December, the EU Parliament has introduced changes aimed reducing environmental impact and packaging waste.

Key updates in transport packaging includes:

From 2030, a reusable quota of at least 40% will be required.
From 2040, the quota will increase to at least 70%.
Additionally, transport and e-commerce packaging must not exceed 50% void space.

The quotas for reusable materials present significant challenges for e-commerce businesses due to the widespread use of reusable plastic that requires new logistics processes. The issues of cleaning and determining the number of reuse cycles before recycling the plastic packaging remain unresolved.

There is also news from Brussels concerning recyclability: by 2030, all packaging in the EU must be recyclable. In 2022, the recycling rate for plastic packaging stood at 40.7%*, whereas corrugated board achieved a recycling rate of over 83%**.

Packaging made of solid and corrugated cardboard is highly recyclable but not equally reusable. Due to the advantages of higher recycling rates and biodegradability, paper-based packaging has been exempted from the reusability quota.

Means, e-commerce companies that continue to rely on paper-based packaging do not have to take any measures to meet reusable quotas.

However, all packaging, whether plastic or cardboard must adhere to a maximum of 50% void space.

Many manufacturers exceed this limit due to an unsuitable packaging portfolio compared to their extensive product range.

The issue of void space should be analyzed not only because of the requirements from Brussels. More suitable packaging enables more efficient truck loading, reducing both the carbon footprint and logistics costs for e-commerce companies. Reducing void and therefore the environmental impact should be in all companies DNA especially due to the fact of increasing product ranges and the habits of the consumer ordering single items.

Optimizing packaging for e-commerce

Reducing packaging dimensions and material usage without compromising product safety is crucial. What does the ideal e-commerce packaging solution look like?

Packaging manufacturers such as Smurfit Westrock rely on a large database and the appropriate analysis tools to optimize packaging dimensions.

With their sustainability scan and perfect sized pack, the packaging company combines its expertise and technology to:

– minimize void space, material usage and CO2 emissions

– replace plastics with paper-based packaging

– and promote recycling.

As a result, businesses may reduce or eliminate the need for stretch foil to transport their products, reduce the amount of material used to produce packaging or replace plastic.

And of course reduce void!

The advantages of a comprehensive sustainability scan are summarized in the following video: