By 2030, what does the EU actually expect from recyclable packaging?

Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), all packaging placed on the EU market must be designed for recycling and reach recyclability grade A, B or C. This applies from 1 January 2030, or 24 months after the Commission’s design-for-recycling acts if that is later.

From that start date, packaging that scores below grade C, under 70 percent, counts as technically non-recyclable and cannot be placed on the EU market. From 1 January 2038 the bar rises: only grades A and B may be placed on the market.

What each grade means:

1. Grade A: the packaging unit scores at least 95 percent in the design-for-recycling assessment. This is the safest design choice.
2. Grade B: a design-for-recycling score of at least 80 percent. Grade B packaging may be placed on the EU market from the start date above, and it is still allowed from 1 January 2038.
3. Grade C: a score of at least 70 percent. Grade C packaging may be placed on the EU market from the start date above until 31 December 2037. From 1 January 2038 it may not, so a grade C design needs a plan to reach grade A or B by then.

For packaging design, this means:

1. All packaging going into the EU must be designed for recycling. A recyclable label on its own is not enough.
2. Materials should be mono-material or easily separable
3. Components that block recycling need to be changed or removed
4. The design must work with real EU collection and recycling systems

The EU PPWR guide covers this in more detail.