Recyclable packaging: what companies should consider

Recyclability is becoming mandatory. Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), packaging in the EU will in principle have to be recyclable. In Germany, recyclability already affects the licence fees charged by the dual systems. What makes packaging recyclable, and what should companies look out for?

What does “recyclable” mean?

Packaging is recyclable if, after use, it can be collected, sorted and processed into new raw materials. It is not enough for a material to be recyclable in principle. What matters is whether the specific pack actually makes it back into the loop in practice.

In Germany, the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) publishes an annual minimum standard. It describes how the recyclability of packaging is assessed.

The key principles

• Prefer mono-material: packaging made of a single material is the easiest to sort and recycle. Pure board and paper packaging have a clear advantage here.
• Ensure separability: if several materials are needed, they should be easy to separate, for example a window or an insert.
• Avoid composites: firmly bonded layers of paper, plastic and aluminium are hard to recycle.
• Choose finishes carefully: large-area plastic lamination can impair recyclability. Varnishes and small accents are usually unproblematic.
• Mind adhesives and labels: they should detach easily during recycling and not disrupt the loop.
• Easy emptying: product residues can make recycling harder. Packaging that is easy to empty helps.

Board and paper: a well-functioning loop

In Germany, paper and board are collected nationwide through waste paper collection. The fibres can be recycled several times. This gives cardboard packaging very good prerequisites. The important thing is not to complicate it with unnecessary plastic components. More in our article Cardboard or plastic packaging.

What the PPWR requires

The EU Packaging Regulation provides that from 2030, packaging must meet certain recyclability grades. The exact criteria are being set by the European Commission in further legal acts. If you are developing new packaging today, you should therefore plan for recyclability from the start. More in our article PPWR 2026.

Checklist for companies

• Check existing packaging for material combinations and composites
• Question plastic components: are films, trays or windows really necessary?
• Check finishes for recycling compatibility
• Use mono-material for new developments
• Communicate disposal instructions clearly to consumers
• Meet your obligations under the German Packaging Act: LUCID registration and participation in a dual system

Turning recyclability into an advantage

Easily recyclable packaging does more than comply with regulations. It can also lower licence costs and win over environmentally conscious customers. Read how to communicate this effectively in our article Eco-friendly packaging as a competitive advantage.

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