EU rolls out a double plan to cut packaging waste and verify carbon removals
The European Commission has presented a bold agenda centered on two clear targets. By 2040, packaging waste should fall by 15 percent, and a new certification framework will begin tracking country by country carbon removals against a 2018 baseline. The initiative sits within the broader circular economy package and is championed by Frans Timmermans, Vice President for the Green Deal, and Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for the Environment. EU officials stress the importance of measurable progress in how packaging affects the environment.
Across the 27 member states, packaging waste reached 177 kilograms per person in 2020, with emissions linked to packaging estimated at about 79.3 million tonnes. The Commission points out that this sector can produce emissions on par with a mid sized European nation, underscoring the scale of the challenge and the opportunity for reform. This context shapes the proposed changes aimed at making packaging more efficient and less wasteful.
Key components include mandatory reuse or refill targets for sectors such as retail and hospitality, along with a take back scheme for plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Sinkevičius highlights the goal of shrinking packaging to what is strictly necessary, using fresh produce as an example to show how to deliver a product without creating waste. The practical aim is to minimize packaging while preserving product quality and safety.
One concrete objective noted by Timmermans is that by 2040 every hot beverage, including coffee and tea, should be served in a reusable or refillable cup. This encourages consumers to bring their own containers for drinks, cutting down on single use waste. In addition, EU rules will regulate excessive packaging and set limits on free space in ecommerce packaging, with prohibitions on unnecessary packaging forms and mandates for compostability where it improves environmental outcomes.
Brussels also calls for clearer labeling on all containers to help consumers sort waste correctly and for corresponding labels on recycling bins that clearly indicate where each item should go. The plan promotes greater use of recycled materials in packaging production, expands the role of bioplastics, and supports biodegradables and compostables to reduce reliance on virgin materials.
On the emissions front, the Commission addresses pollution caused by improper disposal that harms ecosystems and notes that packaging can generate emissions similar to those of a small or medium country. A follow up proposes a system to certify the removal of emissions. Timmermans acknowledges that zero gas emissions are not yet achievable, making enhanced carbon removal capacity essential for progress toward net zero by 2050. The strategy establishes a framework to ensure that carbon removals are credible and verifiable through standardized measurements, clear climate benefits, and alignment with broader sustainability goals. Certificates will be tied to the duration of carbon storage to guarantee permanence as part of the overall approach. The emphasis remains on improving the environmental performance of packaging across the economy and strengthening the legitimacy of carbon removal as a tool in achieving long term climate goals for the European Union.