Minimum Recycled Content
What is Minimum Recycled Content?
Minimum recycled content refers to PPWR requirements that plastic packaging contain a defined minimum percentage of post-consumer recycled material. By 1 January 2030, thresholds are 30% for PET contact-sensitive packaging, 10% for other contact-sensitive plastic packaging, 30% for single-use plastic beverage bottles, and 35% for other plastic packaging — rising to 50%, 25%, 65%, and 65% respectively by 2040. Exemptions apply to pharmaceutical packaging, food packaging for infants and young children, medical devices, hazardous-goods transport packaging, and compostable plastics.
Why It Matters
Businesses sourcing packaging materials need to confirm not just that recycled content is present, but that it meets the specific thresholds and verification standards required for their packaging category and format. Generic recycled-content claims from suppliers may not be sufficient evidence of compliance.
Recycled content requirements can affect material sourcing, cost, and supplier relationships, particularly for businesses that have historically relied on virgin plastic for reasons of cost or material performance.
Because thresholds differ by packaging format — contact-sensitive PET, other contact-sensitive plastics, single-use beverage bottles, and other plastic packaging are all treated separately — businesses handling multiple packaging types need to track requirements individually for each.
Key Requirements
Who Needs to Track Minimum Recycled Content?
This is relevant to:
- Manufacturers of plastic packaging
- Brand owners specifying packaging materials
- Importers sourcing pre-packaged goods in plastic packaging from third countries
Categories most directly affected include:
Plastic bottles and containers, especially PET
Contact-sensitive flexible plastic packaging
Single-use plastic beverage bottles
Responsibilities Relating to Minimum Recycled Content
Businesses are generally expected to:
- Identify the applicable recycled content threshold for each packaging category and format (30%, 10%, 30%, or 35% by 2030, depending on category)
- Request verified recycled content data from material suppliers
- Retain evidence supporting recycled content claims, such as mass balance or certification records
- Track the increase in required thresholds ahead of 2040
- Adjust sourcing where current recycled content falls short of requirements
- Confirm whether their packaging qualifies for an exemption (e.g. pharmaceutical, infant food, medical device, hazardous transport, or compostable packaging)
Minimum Recycled Content and Technical Documentation
Verified recycled content data, supplier certifications, and any third-party audit records should be retained as supporting evidence, since general marketing claims about recycled content are unlikely to satisfy regulatory verification requirements.
Packaging Compliance Under PPWR
Selling packaged products in the EU? Every unit now falls under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40. Euverify handles your Declaration of Conformity, technical file, and compliance documentation as part of your plan, no expertise required on your end.
Related Terms
Further Reading
