The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is nearing the finish line. The EU Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI) adopted the PPWR proposal yesterday, October 24, with a 2/3 majority. The major changes concern coffee capsules, as set out in the proposed regulation adopted yesterday.
In essence, the new regulation contains the following definitions for packaging under Article 3:
- Packaging is an object made of various materials that is intended to contain, protect, handle, deliver or present products.
- This includes items that are necessary to contain, support or preserve the product during its lifetime without being an integral part of the product to be used, consumed or disposed of with the product.
- The regulation also applies to disposable items that are filled or intended to be filled at the point of sale and fulfill a packaging function.
- In particular, tea or coffee bags and individual portions for coffee or tea systems that are necessary to contain the product and are to be used and disposed of together with the product are also recorded.
- Article 8 of the Regulation stipulates that by [24 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] certain packaging, including tea or coffee bags and single-serve coffee or tea systems, shall be compostable in industrially controlled conditions in bio-waste treatment facilities. This measure helps to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and promotes the development of compostable solutions in line with the objectives of the circular economy.