To those who advocate for packaging’s role in a sustainable future,

In our interconnected world, especially across the European Union (EU), our daily lives are sustained by a vast array of products designed for modern convenience. Among these, beverage cartons play a crucial role, offering unique functionalities that support a resilient food supply chain while being low-carbon and recyclable.

We welcome the upcoming adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which is set to provide a clear legal framework, fostering predictability for future investments and innovation.

The EU has the opportunity to move forward by balancing its sustainability goals with the essential need for consumers to access everyday staples like milk and juice. But how can this balance be achieved?

Beverage cartons, the familiar packaging for milk, juice, plant based and more, have evolved into an integral part of our daily lives. Made primarily from paperboard (~75%) — a renewable resource when responsibly sourced — these cartons are reinforced with thin, protective layers of plastic and aluminum to preserve the quality, safety, and nutritional value of their contents.

“Can beverage cartons be recycled?” The answer is a resounding yes.

Beverage cartons have been recycled for years, and with the right enabling conditions—namely effective collection systems—their recycling rates will only increase. Today over 50% of beverage cartons are collected for recycling across Europe. This rate can and will be improved through improved collection systems. Beverage cartons can then be recycled into new products, starting with the separation of the materials as creatively demonstrated by the ACE team.

The technology and infrastructure for recycling beverage cartons are already in place. Currently, around 20 plants across Europe are dedicated to recycling beverage cartons, with further investments planned to enhance the recycling of non-fiber components.

These investments will help us maximize the value extracted from used beverage cartons, returning materials to new products. The PPWR can and should support these enabling conditions.

Beverage cartons need to be collected to be recycled.

When we talk about enabling conditions, it starts with collecting beverage cartons so they can be recycled. That itself starts with designing beverage cartons with recycling in mind.

For those unfamiliar, Design for Recycling Guidelines aim to ensure that products are designed so that they can be recycled and do not become waste. These guidelines are often based on third-party technical expertise. A prime example is the beverage carton industry’s Design for Recycling Guidelines, launched in October 22, which provide producers with technical guidance on selecting materials that are compatible with existing recycling processes. These guidelines also outline how the recyclability of beverage cartons can be optimized.

Currently, the PPWR mandates the assessment of recyclability through Design for Recycling Guidelines, which is welcomed. However, it is crucial that the PPWR remains grounded in scientific evidence and does not prematurely dictate what does or does not hinder recyclability, nor hamper innovation.

By ensuring that the PPWR is informed by science and considers economic, environmental, and technical realities, sustainable solutions like beverage cartons can continue delivering nutritious food and beverages to millions daily.

The PPWR must deliver measures that benefit society and the environment while also stimulating research and innovation within the packaging and recycling industries.

We are looking ahead.

Finalizing the PPWR’s formal adoption without delay will enable a timely start on secondary legislation, bringing us closer to a truly circular economy. We look forward to collaborating with the European Commission, sharing our industry expertise to develop technically sound Implementing and Delegated Acts that will define the methodologies needed to achieve the set targets.

We remain focused on innovating and supporting the enhanced circularity of beverage cartons to best meet the needs of society, while maintaining agility.

With this legislation in hand, we will continue delivering low-carbon, circular packaging solutions that ensure the safe transport, storage, consumption, and long shelf life of sensitive and highly perishable products, such as milk and juice, throughout Europe and beyond.

Best regards,

Annick Carpentier, a Hopeful EU Citizen