Did you know that the average European generates a staggering 180 kg of packaging waste every year? As online shopping continues to boom, packaging waste is on an ever-increasing rise. Recently, the European Union has taken bold steps to address this issue head-on with several new laws aimed at protecting the environment and climate. In this article, we’ll explore how the new EU regulations will impact the shipping packaging industry and revolutionize e-commerce in the coming years…
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In the pursuit of a cleaner environment and climate justice, European leaders have lately taken a resolute stance by introducing a series of new laws aimed at protecting our planet. Many of these initiatives are part of the European Green Deal, a long-term growth strategy set forth by the European Commission in 2020 with the ambitious goal of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
In February 2021, the European Parliament also adopted a resolution on the new Circular Economy Action Plan for a cleaner and more competitive Europe (CEAP), demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050. This Action Plan has since become one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal.
Embracing economic growth and competitiveness of European businesses while reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions is at the core of these laws, but it is evident that many industries will nevertheless need to make significant adjustments to adhere to the new eco-friendly mandates.
As the shipping packaging industry, especially in the era of online shopping, plays a significant role in environmental degradation and climate change, the EU is proactively revising and introducing new regulations to address its adverse impact. These include a proposed revision to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, a cleaner maritime fuels deal, and an ambitious anti-deforestation bill, among others.
Packaging stands as a major consumer of virgin materials, with 40% of plastics and 50% of paper in the EU dedicated to packaging purposes. E-commerce’s continuous growth only exacerbates the situation, making it crucial to address the packaging industry’s environmental impact. Without action, the EU was projected to experience a concerning 19% rise in packaging waste by 2030, and an alarming 46% surge in plastic packaging waste.
Recognizing this urgent need, in November 2022 the European Commission put forward a proposal for the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) that seeks to tackle the issue at its root.
Photo by Lara Jameson, Pexels
A part of the European Green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan, the PPWD’s headline target is to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040 (per Member State per capita, compared to 2018). To achieve this goal, it sets forward three main objectives:
By the end of 2024, EU countries should implement producer responsibility schemes covering all packaging. Additionally, the PPWD outlines ambitious recycling targets: aiming for 65% of all packaging to be recycled by 2025, and further increasing it to 70% by 2030. For plastic, the targets are set at 50% and 55%, while for paper & cardboard, the goals are 75% and 85% respectively.
As of July 2023, this revision proposal has been forwarded for consideration to both the European Parliament and the Council. Once accepted, it will compel Member States to revise their national legislation.
It is important to note that directives such as the PPWD are binding with respect to the intended result, but each Member State chooses the form and method for national implementation. However, there is no doubt that when these revisions take effect, many businesses throughout the EU will face the need to undertake significant changes in their goals and operations.
While this legislation is a vital component of the European Green Deal (EGD) specifically targeting the shipping packaging and e-commerce sectors, it is just one of many laws that will encourage and challenge these industries to adopt more sustainable practices in the near future.
In another move towards a more sustainable future, at the end of March 2023 the European Parliament and Council have reached a deal on cutting maritime transfer emissions. In the EU, waterborne transport – the backbone of e-commerce transport – has generated 3 to 4% of total CO2 emissions in 2021.
The new regulations aim to combat ship emissions head-on, setting ambitious targets of gradually decreasing the greenhouse gas intensity of fuels used by the shipping sector over time, by 2% in 2025 to as much as 80% by 2050.
Photo by Martin Damboldt, Pexels
In order to meet these exacting targets for emissions reduction, every aspect of the shipping process will require a thoughtful overhaul. This includes packaging solutions. Replacing traditional corrugated boxes with eco-friendly courier bags, like FILMAR’s Co-Ex Filbag poly mailers, is a good starting point. Courier bags take up less space during transportation, allowing more goods to be shipped. By optimizing space and emissions expenses simultaneously, the shipping industry can embrace its responsibility as a vital player in shaping a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
As Europe endeavors to achieve the ambitious objectives of reducing emissions in waterborne transport, it becomes increasingly evident that addressing emissions concerns needs to extend beyond maritime activities. The impact of deforestation is also a pressing concern, as forests play a crucial role in offsetting emissions.
Shockingly, an area larger than the entire EU was lost to deforestation in the last 30 years, with EU consumption causing around 10% of these losses. This alarming data calls for urgent action, which is why the European Parliament has adopted new legislation reflecting the EU’s dedication to fighting climate change and biodiversity loss. This new law, dubbed the ‘EU’s anti-deforestation bill’ came into effect on June 30th, 2023.
Photo by Pok Rie, Pexels
Designed to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity, the new law mandates that companies ensure their products sold in the EU have not contributed to deforestation or forest degradation. This legislation covers a wide range of products, including cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soya, and wood, as well as items made from or containing these commodities. During negotiations, MEPs further expanded the scope of this list to include rubber, charcoal, printed paper products, and various palm oil derivatives.
As part of the law’s requirements, all companies selling in the Common Market will now be obliged to conduct audits and issue due-diligence statements regarding their production processes in this context. For companies producing “secondary” goods using any of the listed products, selling them in the EU will be permitted only if their suppliers also provide relevant due diligence statements.
As a company with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for all our paper-based packaging products, we are pleased to witness the EU mandating similar standards for other companies. This collective effort will undoubtedly contribute to addressing the issue of irresponsible forestry and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
In line with the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal under the Green Deal, in March 2022 the European Commission proposed the first package of measures to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy. Building on the Circular Economy Action Plan introduced a year prior, these proposals encompass various aspects, such as promoting sustainable products, empowering consumers to embrace green practices, evaluating construction regulation, and developing a strategy for sustainable textiles.
One proposal with a direct impact on the shipping and packaging industry involves implementing stricter recycling rules and setting binding targets for materials use and consumption footprint. As of July 2023, MEPs have called on the Commission to propose product-specific and/or sector-specific binding targets for recycled content, stressing that ‘binding 2030 targets are needed for materials use and our consumption footprint, covering the whole lifecycle of each product category placed on the EU market’. Considering the strong determination displayed by the EU in revising sustainability regulations, it appears that the approval of such targets is only a matter of time.
As part of last year’s package, there is also a proposal for new rules aimed at empowering consumers during the green transition. These rules seek to equip consumers with improved information about the environmental sustainability of products and offer better protection against greenwashing practices.
The EU is particularly determined to address the growing packaging waste issue and put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050. This involves promoting reusable packaging options, reducing overpacking, and providing clear, standardized recycling labels. Boosting recycling capacity and minimizing the use of virgin materials will make for a significant step towards a greener future.
With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive proposed revision currently in the hands of the co-legislators, companies now have the opportunity to plan how they will meet the directive’s goals.
Some key PPWD measures include ensuring that packaging in the EU becomes recyclable in an economically viable manner with targets for 2030 set at 70% for all materials, 55% for plastic, and 85% for paper and cardboard. Moreover, all new plastic packaging will be subject to mandatory rates of recycled content that producers must incorporate. As a result, all packaging companies will need to swiftly adjust their product designs and production technology.
At FILMAR, our dedication to recycling has been a longstanding commitment that preceded this revision. Just recently, in our commitment to becoming more eco-friendly, we have upgraded our Bubble mailers to be even greener. Previously made of 50% recycled materials, their design has been transformed and they are now composed of 70% recycled materials (paper and plastic) – reaching the EU Packaging Directive 2030 target with 7 years to spare!
Check our 70% recycled Classic and Extra Strong Bubble envelopes here.
To encourage the reuse or refill of packaging, which has significantly declined in the last two decades, companies will need to provide a specific percentage of their products to consumers in reusable or refillable packaging.
While it’s yet to be determined which sectors will be most impacted by this goal, there’s no doubt that the growing demand for reusable and refillable packaging will reshape the landscape of the most commonly used packaging products.
Our resealable courier bags offer a convenient and durable re-closing system, making them a more sustainable and convenient choice for ecommerce.
As Europe strives to meet the ambitious targets for emissions reduction, shipping practices will also undergo significant transformations. Innovative solutions, exemplified by FILMAR’s eco-friendly poly mailers, will likely replace conventional corrugated boxes.
By using courier bags that take up less space, shipping goods becomes more efficient, leading to significant cost and emissions savings during transportation – and with the new maritime transfer emissions standards, courier bags are likely to become the go-to sustainable solution for businesses producing goods transported by ships.
Adhering to sustainable forestry practices will become a crucial aspect of sustainable production. Certification from independent, trustworthy organizations, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), ensures that packaging materials originate from responsibly managed forests.
The FSC® certification is the only ecolabel that guarantees that paper, cardboard and pulp used were harvested in a sustainable manner – which is why we are so proud to hold an FSC Certificate.
Discover our FSC-certified packaging products now!
The European Green Deal remains a work in progress, with some regulations already adopted and others currently being negotiated as we write this article. One thing is certain – it is a permanent fixture, and numerous industries, including packaging and ecommerce, will need to swiftly adapt to comply with its new, stringent standards and targets.
At FILMAR, we made the commitment to embrace sustainability long ago, and as a result, we already align with many targets proposed in the European Green Deal.
While our ultimate goal is achieving 100% recyclable packaging mailers and total climate neutrality of our operations, we are continuously striving towards that vision. In the meantime, we take pride in offering a diverse range of eco-friendly products that contribute to a healthier planet.
Explore our durable Bubble envelopes, crafted from 70% recycled materials and FSC-certified paper and our 80% recycled courier bags that not only save space and money but also help reduce emissions during transportation. Additionally, we offer 50% recycled and fully recyclable bubble film, for all the items that need that extra layer of protection. Together, these products mark our commitment to sustainable practices, bringing us all one step closer to a greener future.
Join us in creating this greener future together! Choose our certified eco-friendly mailers today and showcase your commitment to the environment:
