Two EU nations threaten to weaken reuse and waste targets ahead of next week's gathering of EU ministers in Brussels
ADVERTISEMENTFinland and Italy have called on governments preparing positions on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to oppose tough restrictions on single-use packaging, along with proposed targets for reuse, in a joint statement seen by Euronews which was circulated this week among diplomats.
The two countries call in the paper for the removal of targets for reuse and the cancellation of all restrictions on single use packaging. The Italian and Finnish position differs from a compromise ‘general approach’ — a political agreement between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council — on the PPWR proposal, also circulated among EU diplomats yesterday (12 December).
Concretely, Finland and Italy want next week’s Environment Council (December 18) in Brussels, where EU Ministers expect to close political negotiations on the PPWR, to avoid restrictions on single-use packaging, especially for food and beverages, an appeal in line with the European Parliament’s decision to water down the single-use restriction provision during plenary in Strasbourg, on November 22.
The two countries are also calling on exemptions for single-use formats that can demonstrate the best environmental outcome or in cases where economic operators can show a high separate collection rate of their packaging waste.
In cases where reuse of packaging — or access to the necessary infrastructure for proper reuse — is not technically possible, exemptions should also be considered, the paper says.
The joint-document circulated by Finland and Italy also attacks proposed market restrictions related to specific packaging formats, citing a “very heavy impact” on the agri-food and hospitality sectors. According to the signatories, the upcoming law should “leave the choice open” to packaging alternatives that deliver the best overall environmental outcome in line with a life-cycle assessment.
Finland and Italy further claim that reuse and refill targets should be considered “only for products where reuse and refill are technically and practically feasible”. The duo also criticised mandatory reuse targets, especially for food and beverages, saying its impact was not properly assessed, while arguing it could lead to food safety concerns.
The two countries are asking for exemptions to reuse targets when it’s possible to prove these don't provide the best environmental outcome. In addition, they want the Council to allow EU countries with high rates of separate collection of packaging waste to forego reuse practices. The same goes for those member states with high recycling rates.
Jean-Pierre Schweitzer, Policy Manager for Circular Economy at the European Environmental Bureau (EBB) said reuse and restriction of unnecessary packaging are the most environmentally impactful measures in the PPWR. “Undermining these measures is irresponsible and risks permitting an additional 7.3 million tonnes of packaging waste on the market by 2030,” he added.
The Spanish Presidency confirmed that reuse targets are the “main open issue” to discuss among policymakers, during a press briefing held yesterday.
Justifying their position, Finland and Italy point to the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) — which has an influence on the PPWR regarding EU waste hierarchy — saying the WFD “does not only aim at preventing waste generation, but follows a scientific life-cycle approach”.
The Finnish and Italian permanent representations to the EU did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publishing.
“We hope to reach an agreement to accommodate these concerns [reuse and refill] by more than one member state in a way that ensures ambition is not watered down too much,” the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council told a press conference.
