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PPWR regulation to change packaging by 2030

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force in February 2025. The EU wants to make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. How do things stand with PPWR, with general application arriving in August 2026?
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What is the PPWR regulation?

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is an EU-wide legislative framework designed to reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability. It replaces earlier directives with directly applicable rules across all member states. 

The regulation focuses on:

  • Improving the recyclability of packaging
  • Reducing overall packaging waste
  • Standardising requirements across the EU market

By 2030, all packaging must meet defined recyclability criteria and performance standards.

PPWR will introduce recyclability performance grades

Various aspects of PPWR will take effect at different times.

  • February 2025: PPWR entered into force
  • August 2026: General application begins
  • January 2030: Only recyclable packaging meeting performance grade requirements will be allowed on the EU market

By 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be designed for recycling and will be graded by performance. From 1 January 2030, only packaging with a recyclability performance grade of A, B or C will be permitted on the market.

Why paper-based packaging is well positioned

Paper-based packaging is considered a strong candidate under PPWR due to its compatibility with established recycling systems in Europe. Across the region, paper collection and recycling infrastructure is already well developed, enabling efficient material recovery at scale. This is supported by consistently high recycling rates compared to many alternative materials, demonstrating that fibre-based packaging can be effectively integrated into existing circular systems.

In addition, fibre-based solutions align closely with emerging EU design-for-recycling principles, which emphasise simplicity of materials, compatibility with sorting technologies, and efficient processing in recycling streams.

Clear and predictable regulation supports progress

Understanding how regulation shapes innovation and investment is essential as PPWR evolves.
Read more

Industry collaboration and the role of 4evergreen

To champion the cause of fibre, Metsä Board is a member of 4evergreen, an organisation which represents the entire value chain of fibre-based packaging.

4evergreen develops evidence-based guidelines and harmonised tools to raise the overall recycling rate of fibre-based packaging to 90 per cent by 2030. These tools offer harmonised methodologies that can support the European Commission as it is developing design for recycling criteria and recyclability performance grade assessments for fibre-based packaging. 

Frequently asked questions about PPWR

What is PPWR?

PPWR is an EU regulation requiring all packaging to be recyclable by 2030 and introducing performance grades to measure recyclability.

When does PPWR apply?

It entered into force in February 2025 and begins general application in August 2026.

What packaging will be allowed after 2030?

Only packaging with recyclability grades A, B, or C will be permitted on the EU market.

What are recyclability grades under PPWR?

Under PPWR, packaging will be assessed using recyclability performance grades that measure how efficiently it can be collected, sorted, and recycled within existing systems.

  • Grade A: Packaging is highly recyclable and performs very efficiently in existing recycling systems
  • Grade B: Packaging is recyclable with good performance, but with some limitations in sorting or processing
  • Grade C: Packaging is still recyclable, but with lower efficiency or reduced material recovery

From 1 January 2030, only packaging achieving grades A, B, or C will be allowed on the EU market, while lower-performing packaging will be phased out.

The exact classification criteria are still being finalised by the European Commission and will be based on harmonised design-for-recycling methodologies.

Why is paper-based packaging gaining attention?

It fits well into existing recycling systems and aligns with EU efforts to standardise recyclability criteria.