Almost all of them. The EU packaging regulation (PPWR) covers every packaging material. Glass, metal and wood face the same rules as plastic on heavy metals, recyclability, minimisation, labelling, empty space and reuse. The one design rule that is plastic only is recycled content. For other materials that is only a review, due by 12 February 2032.
Which rules are the same for every material?
Every packaging item, in any material, has to keep the four heavy metals within one combined limit. It must be recyclable to the standards the Commission is still writing and use no more material than its function needs. It carries the harmonised labels once they apply, and it counts toward the reuse targets where its format is listed. The recycled-content targets draw their line between the parts of one pack. A metal cap on a glass bottle is outside them. So is a plastic label on that bottle, if it weighs under 5% of the unit. Most of the single-use format bans from 2030 also apply to plastic only; the ban on hotel toiletry miniatures covers any material.
What is different for glass?
Glass keeps an old allowance on heavy metals: a glass container may go over the limit when the excess comes only from recycled glass, and nothing was added on purpose. By 1 January 2029, Member States must run deposit return for single-use plastic bottles and metal drink cans up to three litres, with exceptions such as wine, spirits and milk. For glass bottles, Member States only have to endeavour to set it up.
What about metal?
Steel and aluminium packaging have their own recyclability categories, from aerosol cans to drums. Metal coffee capsules cannot be required to be compostable by any Member State.
And wood?
Sales packaging made of lightweight wood or cork is exempt from the recyclability rules, though it still pays fees adjusted under producer responsibility. That exemption does not reach wooden pallets and crates, which are transport packaging. Pallets, boxes other than cardboard, plastic crates, drums and canisters of any material count toward the 40% reuse target for transport packaging from 2030. Pallet wraps and straps were freed from the stricter 100% reuse rule by a Commission decision in force since 26 May 2026.
What is settled and what is still open?
| Point | Status on 26 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Heavy-metal limit for glass, metal and wood, with the recycled-glass allowance | Decided, applies now |
| Recyclability criteria for each material | Open, due by 1 January 2028 |
| Recycled-content targets for glass, metal, paper or wood | Open, review due by 12 February 2032 |
Where this comes from: Regulation (EU) 2025/40, Articles 2(1), 5(4), 6(11), 7(15), 29(1), 50 and 70(3), Annex II; Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/429; PPWR FAQ, 2nd edition, sections III.14, IV.9 and V.7.
More on this: EU PPWR guide · EU PPWR compliance
Reviewed by Team GreenSutra on 26 October 2026.