The first provisions and rules under the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) started to apply across the EU as of 12 August 2026. The legislation sets out rules that packaging materials exported to the EU market, as well as the packaging of all other products, must comply with. The Regulation aims to reduce packaging waste through reuse and reduction measures, ensure that all packaging placed on the EU market is recyclable by 2030, increase the use of recycled content in packaging and reduce the use of primary raw materials in packaging production.

IKV Chairperson Dr. Ayhan Zeytinoğlu highlighted the importance of the new developments concerning packaging, which also constitute an important part of the objectives of the European Green Deal, and stated:

“A new era for packaging is beginning in the EU. With measures to be gradually introduced by 2030, a circularity model will be implemented, accompanied by common sustainability rules for the EU market covering the entire life cycle of packaging. For example, waste prevention targets will gradually increase to 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040. By 2030, all packaging will have to be recyclable in an economically viable manner. Restrictions on single-use plastics will increase, while harmonised labelling requirements will be introduced for the sorting of all packaging materials. Producer responsibility will also be extended. This will be a process to which companies exporting packaging and other products to the EU market, as well as businesses supplying inputs to exporters, will need to adapt closely. One of the key new rules concerns restrictions on the use of PFAS in food-contact packaging, such as packaging used for takeaway food, fast food and pizza boxes. Food-contact packaging containing PFAS above the specified limits will not be allowed to be placed on the EU market.”

Environmental Responsibility Is Essential In Waste Imports

IKV Chairperson Dr. Zeytinoğlu noted that the EU has not yet made sufficient progress in the recycling of waste and the use of sustainable materials, which are also important components of the European Green Deal, and emphasised the importance of the issue for Türkiye.

“Türkiye is among the main destinations for plastic waste originating from the EU and the UK. This waste is used as an important industrial input through recycling. However, we must pay close attention to its environmental impacts, both during storage and throughout the recycling process. The relationship between the recent severe pollution, particularly in the Mediterranean region, and plastic waste is particularly concerning. Importing waste in semi-processed form rather than in its raw state could be one possible solution. A comprehensive approach could include a complete ban on imports of mixed plastics that are difficult to sort and contain high levels of unusable material, while prioritising imports of well-sorted, uncontaminated and directly processable single-polymer materials. Strict analysis at customs and rigorous inspections of recycling facilities should also be ensured. The entire journey of each imported waste shipment, from customs to the factory and from the factory to the final product, should be digitally tracked. In addition to financial penalties, the licences of facilities that dump, burn or bury waste instead of recycling it should be revoked. Open-air storage at recycling facilities should be prohibited, while businesses should be required to install advanced treatment systems to remove microplastics from plastic washing water and carbon filters for their emissions. Improving municipal waste collection systems would also help produce the clean material inputs needed by industry, thereby reducing dependence on imported waste. These measures could contribute to addressing the problem in a more sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.”