The Council of the European Union formally adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Following the European Parliament’s earlier endorsement in November, the move marks the conclusion of an intensive legislative process. Metal Packaging Europe (MPE) celebrated this vote and view it as a significant milestone in advancing the goals of the EU Green Deal.

MPE welcomed the introduction of specific provisions on recyclability and highlighted that rigid metal packaging already meets many of the PPWR’s sustainability requirements. Notably, it exceeds the minimum recycling rates, with 80.5% for steel (2022) and 76% for aluminium cans (2021).

MPE viewed the introduction of a definition for high-quality recycling as particularly commendable because this concept was previously used in packaging legislation and the Waste Framework Directive without being clearly defined.

MPE also supported the introduction of a mandatory Deposit and Return System (DRS) but believe it could have gone further in regards to aluminium beverage containers. MPE stated that they “believe high-quality recycling is essential for developing secondary raw material markets, contributing to Europe’s resource independence, and achieving the EU’s circularity goals.”

MPE also shared some disapointment in the move, asserting that “the adoption of reuse targets does not adequately consider the complementary roles of recycling and reuse, nor the contribution of existing highly recyclable and recycled packaging formats to the circular economy.”

Discussions will now shift to secondary legislation. Looking ahead to the implementation in the coming years, MPE CEO Krassimira Kazashka said: “Achieving the PPWR objectives will require active participation from all packaging stakeholders. As representatives of the rigid metal packaging industry, we are keen to contribute. Aluminium and steel are permanent materials and circular resources that remain available for future generations. Metal is the perfect packaging partner for a circular economy. “