Packaging

ReLoop has developed the first system that combines ready-made meals with the automated return of reusable, traceable packaging.

The Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging initiative (CEFLEX) has acknowledged the publication of the EN18120 series by the European Committee for Standardization. The design for recyclability standards establish a European framework for the development of recyclable flexible plastic packaging and aim to harmonise requirements across markets.

The European Commission has issued PPWR guidance to support the implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The document aims to ensure consistent application of the regulation across Member States and to facilitate compliance for economic operators.

At the trade fairs IFAT (Munich, 4–7 May 2026) and Plastics Recycling Show Europe (Amsterdam, 5–6 May 2026), RIGK will present its network approach to take-back systems, regulatory compliance and recyclate quality. The network includes plastship, Hannawald Plastik, PACKLIANCE and the DAkkS-accredited PlastCert.

The European Commission has published details of its mass-balance approach under the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) implementing act voted through on 6 February.

The recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland reached 76.3% in 2023, according to the latest data published by Metal Packaging Europe and European Aluminium.

The U.S. Plastics Pact has published a framework outlining measures to advance the circularity of film and flexible plastic packaging in the United States. The document, titled “Journey to Film & Flex Circularity: A Framework of Necessary Design, Collection, and End Market Levers,” identifies system-level actions across packaging design, collection systems and end market development.

Two years after its launch on 1 February 2024, Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) demonstrates the role of digital infrastructure in operating a national circular economy system at scale. Since becoming operational, the scheme has processed close to 2.5 billion returned beverage containers, supported by an integrated IT platform managing data, transactions and reporting across the value chain.

The UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, introduced in October 2025, is designed to make producers financially and operationally responsible for the packaging they place on the market and its end-of-life management.

Stadler has completed the modernization of the BZB light packaging sorting plant in Amorebieta-Etxano, Bizkaia, Spain, upgrading the facility originally commissioned in 2002.

Steel for Packaging Europe has announced a programme of activities to mark its 40th anniversary, centred on the publication of a new recycling status report.