Starting in 2023, only recyclable or reusable packaging will be allowed in the EU!

 

The EU is targeting packaging waste: Starting in 2030, under the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), only packaging that is either recyclable or reusable may be placed on the market. This fundamental requirement marks a shift across all industries—including the automotive sector, where packaging for components and materials has often been accepted as a necessary evil until now.

Now the question of how this packaging can be designed to be recyclable has come to the forefront.

Mandatory Recycling Starting in 2030

Starting January 1, 2030, companies throughout the EU will only be allowed to place products on the market with packaging that is fully recyclable or reusable as reusable packaging. Manufacturers and suppliers must therefore assess early on whether their current packaging solutions meet these criteria.

Criteria for Recyclability

Packaging is considered recyclable if it is designed so that, after use, it can be collected and sent for recycling as a single material stream. This means avoiding combinations of materials that are difficult to separate, as well as ingredients such as certain metals or coatings that could interfere with the recycling process. Uniform “Design for Recycling” criteria are still being finalized at the EU level, but they already set the direction: simpler, single-material packaging that can actually be recycled within the waste management system.

Stricter requirements by 2038

The regulation introduces a classification system (A, B, C) for the recyclability of packaging. Starting in 2030, it will be sufficient for packaging to meet at least Class C (basic recyclability). However, starting in 2038, only Class A and B packaging will be permitted—these will then meet high standards for high-quality recyclability. Companies are therefore well advised to take these future stricter requirements into account as early as the first transition phase (2030).

Exceptions in Special Cases

Not all packaging can be made immediately recyclable for technical or safety reasons. The PPWR provides for exceptions, for example, for packaging of medical devices, certain types of hazardous materials packaging, or highly specialized applications where the environmental impact is minimal. However, these exceptions are strictly limited, and most industrial sectors—including the automotive industry—are not covered by them.

Impact on the Automotive Industry

For automotive suppliers and OEMs, the new requirement means that packaging for replacement parts, components, or modules must be reevaluated. Many types of packaging used to date—such as combinations of plastic and foam or containers with complex coatings—should be replaced with solutions that can be returned to the recycling loop after use.

The good news: Optimizing for recyclability can also bring operational benefits. Fewer mixed materials not only make recycling easier, but also generally simplify waste disposal within the company. Companies that switch to recycling-friendly packaging design early on will reduce disposal costs in the future while also meeting the growing sustainability requirements of automakers.