The latest circular economy plan by the European Commission (EC) includes a ban on small sugar packets and the introduction of biodegradable fruit packaging, and Estonia also wants to achieve a uniform standard for glass bottles, writes ERR News.
In 2009, 66 million tons of packaging waste were generated in the European Union (EU), while in 2019, the volume had already increased to 78 million tons. Most often, cardboard and plastic are used for packaging.
Kristel Kund, the adviser at the environmental management department of the Ministry of the Environment, stated that one of the goals of packaging based on circular economy principles is to reduce the amount of packaging. She said packaging should be as minimal as possible, adding:
«Furthermore, deceptive packaging will be prohibited, such as double-walled or double-bottomed containers designed to give the impression of a larger product volume.»
It will also be necessary to abandon the types of packaging that the EC has recognized as unnecessary. Kund explained that this means that single-use plastics will not be allowed for fruits and vegetables in small quantities. The use of small packets of sugar and other single-serving additives will no longer be permitted. It is also planned to ban disposable packages of shampoo, soap, and similar products.
In the advisor’s opinion, it is necessary to clearly determine which packaging is recognized as biodegradable. Kund pointed out that this will be packaging that can be recycled in an industrial setting and not necessarily packaging that can be recycled in a compost bin in the garden. She said that the packaging should be such that it can be collected together with organic waste.
The EC also wants to make waste sorting easier. «The European Union wants to standardize container labeling. Identical labels should also be placed on garbage cans so that the packing can be matched with the appropriate container,» said Kund.
Estonia has proposed setting a single standard for glass bottles so that the deposit system could be the same throughout the EU. Kund added that a single standard would allow different companies to reuse bottles.