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International Negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty
Yearly, 462 million tons of plastic are produced, harming both the environment and humans - a number that is also projected to increase with time. In March of 2022 the UN Environmental Assembly came together to propose a solution, The International Negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty.
This initiative is a legally binding agreement to combat plastic pollution worldwide by proposing tangible steps and guidelines for reducing plastic waste, promoting recycling, and regulating plastic production. During the process, 175 nations voted to adopt the treaty that is set to be implemented in 2025 - setting the standard for global sustainable packaging.
Although the implementation of these requirements is still in progress, companies should be on the lookout for these requirements and their impact on operations.
Updates to the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWR)
On April 24th, 2024 the European Parliament adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive which aims to surpass existing packaging legislation, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), to promote overarching sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of packaging.
PPWR doubles down on packaging waste requirements with an emphasis on reusable packaging, recyclability, and setting more rigid targets for recycled content. The official target of PPWR is to reach 65% recycled packaging by 2025 and 70% by 2030 in the EU. For many companies, this means big changes in order to meet these requirements.
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2025 (UK)
Just like other places around the world, the UK is also doubling down on its packaging and packaging waste regulations. In 2024 the UK passed The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations updating the UK’s original obligations to reduce packaging waste and hold producers accountable for environmental impacts.
These regulations utilize EPR systems for packaging to shift responsibility away from consumers and pack onto producers of this waste. Coming in 2025 the UK will bring these regulations a step further, requiring producers of packaging placed on the market to help support collection, sorting, and recycling efforts of their packaging waste. Like any other EPR legislation, producer responsibility is contingent on the packaging material type and volume.
Increase in EPR Regulations Across the U.S.
We’ve said it once and we will say it again, EPR is here and it's here to stay. Across the U.S. five states (California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Oregon) have enacted EPR legislation since 2021 and this number is projected to rise. Each of these states has unique timelines and requirements making compliance even more complex.
Organizations must track packaging across all stages of their supply chain to ensure that requirements are met across all state requirements - if necessary. This also means that companies must understand the scope of the materials they are using which requires data and supply chain transparency.
As 2025 approaches companies must educate themselves on EPR and its impact on products and packaging. With EPR forecasted to increase across states companies must act fast to avoid falling behind.
Germany’s Single-Use Plastic Fund Act
Germany’s single-use plastic fund act (EWKFondsG) began in 2024 as a way to enforce companies producing or importing single-use plastic items to contribute to a fund supporting waste management and cleanup efforts.
Similar to EPR regulations these requirements redirect responsibility away from consumers and back onto the manufacturers and producers themselves. This legislation focuses on items that have the highest environmental impact such as cups, food containers, and cutlery - aiming to reduce waste while improving cleanup efforts.
With the first annual reports due May 2025 it is crucial that producers and manufacturers in Germany think about ways they can reduce their single-use plastic waste and shift to more sustainable alternatives.
Leading Packaging Sustainability in 2025
As 2025 approaches, the movement toward sustainability across the world remains in the spotlight. With regulations such as the Global Plastics Treaty and the UK’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations as well as increased EPR legislation, companies are being pushed to rethink how they design, produce, and operate their packaging across the entire supply chain.
The reality is that for organizations looking to stay competitive, sustainability must be top of mind. By taking a forward-thinking approach organizations can use this as an opportunity to innovate and improve existing products to meet consumer needs and sustainability requirements. Not only will this benefit brand reputations but also help companies avoid costly fines for non-compliance.
How is your organization rethinking its packaging strategies to meet packaging sustainability goals?
To learn more about SDM for sustainability check out this page or request a demo with our team.
