New EU packaging regulations: An era of more sustainable fulfillment solutions

The European Parliament recently adopted new regulations for packaging that aim to reduce the environmental footprint and promote a circular economy.

These regulations, which will come into force from January 2030, will bring significant changes that we will master together.

Less is more: reducing packaging material

Every European produces an average of almost 189 kilograms of packaging waste per year. The new EU regulations set ambitious targets to reverse this trend:

• By 2030, the amount of packaging is to be reduced by 5 per cent,
• 10% by 2035, and

• by 15% by 2040. 

  For e-commerce, this means that from 2030, a maximum of 50% of the packaging volume may be empty. This not only promotes more efficient packaging solutions, but also the increased use of recyclable materials.

Banning single-use plastic and minimising packaging waste

Another significant step is the ban on certain single-use plastic packaging from 2030, including packaging for unprocessed fruit and vegetables, sugar packets and mini shampoo bottles in hotels. 
 

• This will have a significant impact on the way products are packaged and shipped and will require a strategic shift towards more sustainable alternatives.