Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
PPWR is transforming packaging requirements across the EU, introducing new standards for sustainability, recyclability, labeling, and waste reduction. This hub provides Greif employees with key resources, guidance, timelines, FAQs, training materials, and updates to help understand PPWR’s impact on our products, customers, and operations.
Understanding the New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
As a global leader in industrial packaging, Greif remains committed to sustainability and helping customers navigate evolving regulatory requirements. One of the most significant packaging regulations affecting the European market is the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This page provides an overview of the regulation, key requirements, implementation timelines, and resources to support understanding of its potential impact on packaging design, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life management.
Please note that this information does not constitute legal, regulatory, or packaging advice. It is intended as a general, non-exhaustive summary of the PPWR based on publicly available information. Customers should consult relevant EU and national authorities, legal counsel, and their own regulatory compliance teams to assess obligations specific to their circumstances.
This page was last updated in July 2026.
What is the PPWR?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is an EU-wide regulation designed to reduce packaging waste, increase packaging circularity, promote reuse, and improve recyclability across all packaging materials. Unlike the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, the PPWR applies directly across all EU Member States, creating a more harmonized regulatory framework for packaging placed on the EU market.
The regulation introduces a broad range of requirements and targets, including waste reduction measures, design-for-recycling requirements, reuse and refill targets, minimum recycled content requirements for certain plastic packaging, harmonized labeling requirements, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) provisions that encourage more sustainable packaging choices.
The PPWR entered into force on 11 February 2025 and generally applies from 12 August 2026, with additional requirements and performance targets being phased in through 2030, 2035, and 2040. The European Commission continues to develop implementing measures, technical guidance, and delegated acts that further define specific obligations under the regulation. As a result, businesses should continue monitoring regulatory developments and assess how evolving requirements may impact their packaging portfolios, operations, and compliance strategies.
Key Timelines and Implementation
PPWR officially enters into force, offering a transition period for compliance.
- Packaging placed on the EU market will be required to meet design-for-recycling requirements established under PPWR and related implementing measures.
- Minimum PCR content requirements for plastic packaging apply.
- First reuse targets applicable to specific packaging categories
- Packaging minimization becomes mandatory, limiting empty space in packaging design.
- Increased PCR content requirements.
- Further reductions in packaging waste and expanded reuse targets.
What are the key requirements?
- EU-wide targets for the member states to reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% (2030), 10% (2035), and 15% (2040) based on 2018 levels.
- Bans on certain single-use plastic packaging, such as shrink wrap and small condiment sachets.
- By 1st January 2030, all packaging must be recyclable by design (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
- By 1st January 2035, all packaging must be recyclable at scale* (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
*At scale means that sufficient infrastructure and capacity must exist across the EU to collect, sort, and process the material into new products efficiently and economically.
- For transport and sales packaging used for transportation (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- At least 40% of total packaging volume must be reusable within a re-use system by 2030, and
- Aim for 70% by 2040
- For transport packaging and sales packaging used for transportation between different sites belonging to the same business, or between different businesses within the same EU country (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- 100% of total packaging volume must be reusable within a system of reuse
Plastic packaging must include recycled content (Post Consumer Resin (PCR)) (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging). The percentage depends on how packaging is classified (material, usage, contact sensitivity):
Packaging Type | 2030 | 2040 |
|---|---|---|
Food Packaging | 10% | 25% |
Non-food Packaging | 35% | 65% |
All packaging must minimize the use of substances of concern by August 12, 2026. Specific thresholds apply to heavy metals (for all packaging) and to BPA and PFAS (for food-contact packaging).
Depending on its use and reusability, packaging must feature specific labels or QR codes, such as:
- Material Composition
- EU harmonized sorting instructions
- Reuse instructions
- Mandatory QR codes to enhance tracking
- EPR fees to be paid by parties placing their packaging products on the market, will be based on recyclability performance grades from A to C, encouraging sustainable design choices.
- Incentives for using recycled content, as well as lightweight and fully recyclable packaging.
What are the key requirements?
Packaging Waste Reduction:
- EU-wide targets for the member states to reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% (2030), 10% (2035), and 15% (2040) based on 2018 levels.
- Bans on certain single-use plastic packaging, such as shrink wrap and small condiment sachets.
Recyclability:
- By 1st January 2030, all packaging must be recyclable by design (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
- By 1st January 2035, all packaging must be recyclable at scale* (with the exception for the transportation of dangerous goods packaging).
*At scale means that sufficient infrastructure and capacity must exist across the EU to collect, sort, and process the material into new products efficiently and economically.
Reuse:
- For transport and sales packaging used for transportation (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- At least 40% of total packaging volume must be reusable within a re-use system by 2030, and
- Aim for 70% by 2040
- For transport packaging and sales packaging used for transportation between different sites belonging to the same business, or between different businesses within the same EU country (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging):
- 100% of total packaging volume must be reusable
Recycled Content:
Plastic packaging must include recycled content (Post Consumer Resin (PCR)) (with the exception for transportation of dangerous goods packaging). The percentage depends on how packaging is classified (material, usage, contact sensitivity):
Packaging Type | 2030 | 2040 |
|---|---|---|
Food Packaging | 10% | 25% |
Non-food Packaging | 35% | 65% |
Substances of Concern:
All packaging must minimize the use of substances of concern by August 12, 2026. Specific thresholds apply to heavy metals (for all packaging) and to BPA and PFAS (for food-contact packaging).
Labelling:
Depending on its use and reusability, packaging must feature specific labels or QR codes, such as:
- Material Composition
- EU harmonized sorting instructions
- Reuse instructions
- Mandatory QR codes to enhance tracking
Eco-Modulated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fees:
- EPR fees to be paid by parties placing their packaging products on the market, will be based on recyclability performance grades from A to C, encouraging sustainable design choices.
- Incentives for using recycled content, as well as lightweight and fully recyclable packaging.
Available in North America
Unpacking PPWR Webinar
In this webinar, Greif experts explored the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), covering key requirements, implementation timelines, and potential business impacts. Attendees also learned how Greif can support compliance efforts and participated in a live Q&A with our experts.
How Can Greif Help?
Our sustainability strategy and business model are rooted in circular economy principles. With our extensive expertise and diverse portfolio of solutions, we are uniquely positioned to deliver innovative, sustainable, and circular products and services.
Greif is proactively working to implement the PPWR across its organization, as relevant and applicable. We are committed to complying with the specific requirements outlined in the regulation from the applicable dates and we are currently reviewing our portfolio to ensure compliance with PPWR, while maintaining product integrity and performance.
Recyclable Products
Our plastic and steel products are largely recyclable by design, supported by our comprehensive suite of barrier protection alternatives.
Packaging Optimization
Packaging optimization, reducing waste and increased use of recycled materials is a cornerstone of our strategy. Lightweighting, downgauging, and prioritizing recycled materials are integral to our product design process whilst maintaining product integrity and performance. We have a range of lightweighted products such as NexDrum/Valerex, JCR Jerry cans and IBCs.
PCR Products
We have been incorporating recycled materials such as post-consumer resin (PCR) into our products for many years. We use PCR in Greif products including IBCs, small and large plastics drums, jerrycans, and pallets.
Life Cycle Services (LCS)
Our LCS network provides access to used steel, plastic, and paper products that advance circularity and help our customers meet PPWR requirements. In North America and Europe, we collect and recondition used steel, plastic, and IBC packaging products, making them suitable for reuse and resale. In 2024, our LCS network collected 3.6 million containers, reconditioned or remanufactured more than 2.6 million of these containers and recycled the remaining containers.
Packaging Optimization
Packaging optimization, reducing waste and reliance on virgin raw materials is a cornerstone of our strategy. Lightweighting, downgauging, and prioritizing recycled materials are integral to our product design process whilst maintaining product integrity and performance. We have a range of lightweighted products such as NexDrum, JCR Jerry cans and IBCs.
PCR Products
We have been incorporating recycled materials such as post-consumer resin (PCR) into our products for many years. We use PCR in Greif products including IBCs, small and large plastics drums, jerrycans, and pallets.
Life Cycle Services (LCS)
Our LCS network provides access to used steel, plastic, and paper products that advance circularity and help our customers meet PPWR requirements. In North America and Europe, we collect and recondition used steel, plastic, and IBC packaging products, making them suitable for reuse and resale. In 2024, our LCS network collected 3.6 million containers, reconditioned or remanufactured more than 2.6 million of these containers and recycled the remaining containers.
PPWR Declarations of Conformity Explained: Who Is Responsible and How to Prepare for August 2026
As businesses prepare for the first implementation phase of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), one topic continues to generate significant discussion: the
Unpacking PPWR: What Substances of Concern Mean for Your Market
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) remains an integral part of strategic discussions as we approach key implementation timelines.
This month in our Unpacking PPWR series, we focus on what Article 5 – Substances of Concern really means in practice, how requirements differ by market, and how Greif is already helping customers stay ahead of upcoming deadlines.
Unpacking PPWR
The PPWR is not just another regulatory directive, it is a legally binding framework across all EU member states, designed to reduce packaging waste, increase
Unpacking PPWR
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) came into force on 11 February 2025, with the application date set for August 12, 2026. This isn’t just another directive – it’s a unified, EU-wide framework meant to simplify rules and drive real change.
Understanding the New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PPWR is transforming packaging requirements across the EU, introducing new standards for sustainability, recyclability, labeling, and waste reduction. This
Stay Ahead of PPWR Changes
The PPWR represents a major shift in packaging regulations, and early preparation is key. At Greif, we are committed to helping our customers navigate this transition smoothly. Contact your sales representative to explore sustainable packaging options and ensure your compliance with the new EU regulations.
As a trusted leader in the circular economy, we are well-equipped to help you rethink your packaging strategies and successfully adapt to these evolving regulations.
Please note this information does not constitute legal or packaging advice. This is a general non-exhaustive summary of the PPWR based on publicly available information. Customers should refer to publicly available information shared by relevant EU and national authorities and their internal regulatory compliance teams.
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