WRAP partners with EU to cut food and packaging waste

EUROPE – The UK-based environmental charity Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has joined forces with European organizations to combat packaging waste across the continent.

This initiative seeks to reduce the environmental impact of packaging materials, particularly plastics, by promoting sustainable industry practices.

The partnership will initially focus on reducing plastic packaging waste by collaborating with industry stakeholders to minimize the use of virgin plastics and improve recycling systems.

This aligns with the European Commission’s goals of ensuring all packaging is fully recyclable by 2030 and reducing packaging waste per capita by 15% by 2040 (compared to 2018 levels).

A key element of the initiative is the promotion of reuse and refill systems within the packaging sector.

Encouraging businesses to adopt reusable packaging solutions will help decrease reliance on single-use packaging, ultimately reducing waste generation.

This effort supports the EU’s broader objectives of preventing packaging waste and limiting the use of virgin materials.

The partnership aims to bring together businesses, policymakers, and environmental groups to create practical, long-term solutions for sustainable packaging.

By fostering international cooperation, WRAP and its partners hope to accelerate the transition towards a circular packaging economy.

This collaborative approach is crucial in meeting the targets set by the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which requires all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030.

France invests €500M to boost plastic recycling

In a related development, the European Commission has approved a €500 million initiative by France to support chemical recycling of plastic waste.

This funding will accelerate the shift toward sustainable packaging by investing in technologies that convert mixed and contaminated plastic waste into high-quality raw materials, reducing the reliance on virgin plastics.

The French government is prioritizing investments in chemical recycling technologies for packaging materials such as trays, films, non-beverage bottles, and polyester-based plastics.

By advancing these methods, France aims to help the packaging sector comply with EU sustainability targets while supporting the transition to a circular economy.

The initiative provides direct grants covering up to 40% of eligible investment costs, offering packaging manufacturers a strong incentive to integrate chemical recycling into their operations.

Eligible costs will be assessed based on investment requirements for chemical recycling projects compared to conventional recycling or disposal methods.

The European Commission evaluated the scheme under EU State aid regulations, determining that public funding is essential for expanding chemical recycling in the packaging sector.

To maintain fair competition, France has introduced safeguards to prevent market distortions, ensuring the initiative remains accessible to all packaging companies. 

With this initiative, France is poised to improve recycling rates, reduce plastic waste, and contribute significantly to the EU’s circular economy vision.

Meanwhile, WRAP’s collaboration with the EU further strengthens efforts to reduce waste, enhance sustainability, and drive innovation in packaging solutions across Europe.

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