PPWR in Focus Recyclability as the New Standard
Recycling Champion Steel: How Packaging Steel Sets the Standard
The new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will apply throughout the EU from August 2026, marks a turning point in the production and use of packaging. Its core objective is the significant reduction of the environmental impact of packaging by promoting recyclability and minimizing packaging waste. For consumers, this means that, in the future, most packaging found in supermarkets will be over 80% recyclable—a clear win for the environment.
The Recyclability Benchmark
The PPWR introduces a transparent classification system for the recyclability of packaging, divided into three levels:
- A (at least 95%),
- B (at least 80%), and
- C (at least 70%).
This clear structure provides transparency and enables both manufacturers and consumers to better assess the environmental impact of packaging and adapt their purchasing behavior accordingly. A crucial requirement is that, as of 2038, packaging with less than 80% recyclability may no longer be placed on the EU market. This ambitious goal underscores the urgency of finding more sustainable packaging solutions.
Tinplate as a Recycling Pioneer
In this context, tinplate proves to be a true role model. Packaging made from this material already achieves outstanding recyclability rates. For example, the classic food can exceeds 95%, thanks to its nearly pure material composition. Even aerosol cans, which combine tinplate with plastic components such as spray heads and valves, reach a recyclability rate of over 80%—as do crown caps.
Tinplate packaging for paint, varnish, or similar products has also been achieving top values for several years. These figures, confirmed by the German Environment Agency, clearly demonstrate the potential of tinplate as a sustainable packaging solution that already meets PPWR requirements today.
