New packaging rules for less waste and easier recycling

From 12 August 2026, new rules on packaging and packaging waste apply in the EU. This will change the way products are packaged to protect the environment and people’s health. It will also create opportunities for businesses.

Packaging uses large quantities of raw materials and generates waste that ends up in landfills or the sea. Some chemicals used in packaging can also be harmful. The new rules address these issues by setting requirements for the manufacturing and composition of all packaging placed on the EU market. They also require packaging to be reusable or recoverable, meaning it can be used again or turned into something else after use. From 2030, certain single-use packaging will be banned where more sustainable alternatives are available, such as small ketchup packets or mini shampoo bottles in hotels.

The new measures will make packaging: 

• less wasteful: plastic packaging must be made in part from recycled content, with increasing targets for 2030 and 2040
• fully recyclable: all packaging must be recyclable by 2030, so its components can be used for something else afterwards
• clearly labelled: clear labels and colours make it easier to sort trash for recycling – showing what it is made of, where to bin it, and how to return it for reuse 
• smarter: unnecessary packaging and empty space in deliveries will be reduced
• easier to re-use, refill and collect: deposit and return systems will be boosted. Companies must make reuse or refill options available whenever possible, with no extra charge
• fairer and safer: brands using non-recyclable or environmentally harmful materials will have to pay to clean them up. Harmful and cancer-causing ‘forever’ chemicals (PFAS) will be restricted in food packaging 

The EU is working to protect and improve the environment and build a more circular, sustainable, and competitive economy. The law on packaging addresses the environmental challenges caused by packaging waste, harmonizes rules for businesses across the single market, and creates opportunities for businesses involved in recycling and sustainable packaging solutions.

For more information

Packaging waste

Packaging waste regulation - factsheet

Packaging and packaging waste - facts

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