European Parliament advances rules aimed at cutting packaging waste
The European Parliament has given a green light to upcoming regulations designed to curb waste from containers and packaging. The proposal faced strong industry opposition and was described by some MEPs as weakened, yet it remains on track for negotiation with the Commission and the Council in a tripartite process to reach final approval.
The plan would require member states to cut packaging waste relative to 2018 levels by 5 percent by 2030, with further targets of 10 percent by 2035 and 15 percent by 2040. For plastics, the reductions would be more ambitious at 10 percent by 2030, 15 percent by 2035, and 20 percent by 2040, reflecting a stronger focus on plastic materials within the overall packaging framework.
Binding targets for packaging reductions set by the Parliament for the first time
The approved regulations formalize binding reduction targets for packaging for the first time. They also aim to raise recycling targets and ban certain substances used in food packaging, including PFAS and Bisphenol A. In Spain these prohibitions are already in place, underscoring the concrete shift toward safer packaging materials across the bloc.
The legislative process mobilized across the plastics sector and, in particular, the paper and cardboard industries. Initial proposals suggested removing restrictions affecting e commerce packaging and limiting oversized packages that waste space, with a rule to avoid empty space exceeding forty percent of package volume.
Measures dropped under industry pressure
The draft text saw several provisions removed during the amendment vote in plenary, including a ban on plastic containers for fresh fruit and vegetables weighing under one kilogram, restrictions on restaurant and takeout interiors, and the prohibition of disposable containers including single dose condiments such as compact butter portions or mini jams.
The Parliament woke to a wave of leaflets left at MPs’ doors by industry-linked activists
MEPs noted intense pressure surrounding the law. A persistent sense of industry engagement was acknowledged by several lawmakers, who emphasized the need for transparency while distancing themselves from what they described as intrusive lobbying. Journalists reported that industry groups were open to dialogue but not to heavy-handed tactics.
Recently there were reports that leaflets urging amendments to the environmental commission’s draft were distributed across the Parliament. The leaflets urged exemptions for certain takeaway packaging and demanded revisions to the general assembly vote. The groups behind the materials included major food service players associated with global brands.
The Greens and other environmental organizations argue that the final text emerging from the environment committee is not as ambitious as the Commission’s initial proposal. They note that a large number of amendments have been adopted and point to the unusually high attendance at the plenary session, including many members from the commission who arrived to participate in the vote.
Environmental advocates highlight that the negotiation landscape was influenced by a broader lobbying presence. Grace O Sullivan from the Greens described the lobbying as overwhelming, while noting that MEPs often weigh industry concerns alongside ecological objectives. The Parliament is balancing competing interests as it moves toward the next phase of trilogue discussions with the Commission and the Council.
Since September 2022, more than 400 meetings have taken place with major corporations and food brands, along with packaging manufacturers and environmental groups. Organizations such as McDonalds, TotalEnergies, Nestlé and other industry players were among those consulted to shape the regulation. O Sullivan emphasizes that while discussions sought balance, there was a heavy emphasis on the cardboard and paper sector, which had a strong lobby presence.
The Greens and environmentalists reiterate disappointment with the perceived decaffeination of the bill compared with the Commission’s original, more ambitious plan. After the plenary session, the process continues toward a final agreement through the tripartite talks, with further amendments and safeguard measures likely to emerge as industry input remains a significant factor in ongoing negotiations.