Packaging classification under the PPWR
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) establishes that the correct classification of packaging is a basic prerequisite for assessing its recyclability. In line with its annex, packaging is divided into 22 categories based on the predominant material, type and format. We provide a comprehensive overview covering material composition, construction types, recyclability criteria and the key technical parameters that are decisive for successful recycling.
| Category No | Predominant packaging material | Packaging type | Format (illustrative and non-exhaustive) | Colour / Optical transmittance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glass | Glass and composite packaging, of which the majority is glass | Bottles, jars, flacons, cosmetics pots, tubs, ampoules, vials made of glass (soda lime silica), aerosol cans | — |
| 2 | Paper/cardboard | Paper/cardboard packaging | Boxes, trays, grouped packaging, flexible paper packaging (e.g. films, sheets, pouches, lidding, cones, wrappers) | — |
| 3 | Paper/cardboard | Composite packaging of which the majority is paper/cardboard | Liquid packaging board, and paper cups (i.e. laminated with polyolefin and with or without aluminium), trays, plates and cups, metallised or plastic laminated paper/cardboard, paper/cardboard with plastic liners/ windows | — |
| 4 | Metal | Steel and composite packaging of which the majority is steel | Rigid formats (aerosols cans, cans, paint tins, boxes, trays, drums, tubes) made of steel, including tinplate and stainless steel | — |
| 5 | Metal | Aluminium and composite packaging of which the majority is aluminium – rigid | Rigid formats (food and beverage cans, bottles, aerosols, drums, tubes, cans, boxes, trays) made of aluminium | — |
| 6 | Metal | Aluminium and composite packaging of which the majority is aluminium – semi-rigid and flexible | Semi rigid and flexible formats (containers and trays, tubes, foils, flexible foil) made of aluminium | — |
| 7 | Plastic | PET – rigid | Bottles and flasks | Transparent clear / coloured, opaque |
| 8 | Plastic | PET – rigid | Rigid formats other than bottles and flasks (including pots, tubs, jars, cups, mono- and multilayer trays and containers, aerosol cans) | Transparent clear / coloured, opaque |
| 9 | Plastic | PET – flexible | Films | Natural / coloured |
| 10 | Plastic | PE – rigid | Containers, bottles, trays, pots and tubes | Natural / coloured |
| 11 | Plastic | PE – flexible | Films, including multilayer and multi-material packaging | Natural / coloured |
| 12 | Plastic | PP – rigid | Containers, bottles, trays, pots and tubes | Natural / coloured |
| 13 | Plastic | PP – flexible | Films, including multilayer and multi-material packaging | Natural / coloured |
| 14 | Plastic | HDPE and PP – rigid | Crates and pallets, corrugated board plastic | Natural / coloured |
| 15 | Plastic | PS and XPS – rigid | Rigid formats (including dairy packaging, trays, cups and other food containers) | Natural / coloured |
| 16 | Plastic | EPS – rigid | Rigid formats (including fish boxes / white goods and trays) | Natural / coloured |
| 17 | Plastic | Other rigid plastics (e.g. PVC, PC) including multi-materials – rigid | Rigid formats, including. intermediate bulk containers, drums | — |
| 18 | Plastic | Other flexible plastics including multi-materials – flexible | Pouches, blisters, thermoformed packaging, vacuum packaging, modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging, including flexible intermediate bulk containers, bags, stretch films | — |
| 19 | Plastic | Biodegradable plastics – rigid (e.g. PLA, PHB) and flexible (e.g. PLA) | Rigid and flexible formats | — |
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This category contains plastics that are readily biodegradable (meaning a proven ability to convert >90 % of the original material into CO2, water and minerals by biological processes within 6 months) and regardless of the feedstock used for their production. Biobased polymers that are not readily biodegradable are covered under the other relevant plastic categories. |
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| 20 | Wood, cork | Wooden packaging, including cork | Pallets, boxes, crates | — |
| 21 | Textile | Natural and synthetic textile fibres | Bags | — |
| 22 | Ceramics or porcelain stoneware | Clay, stone | Pots, containers, bottles, jars | — |
The table is an indicative list of packaging materials, types and categories referred to in Article 6 (Annex II, Table 1 of Regulation (EU) 2025/40). The categories are relevant, for example, when assessing recyclability under the PPWR. They are not universal identification codes or consumer recycling codes that would automatically have to be shown on the packaging.
Packaging construction types
Annex II, Table 1 distinguishes packaging types by construction into rigid, semi-rigid and flexible (e.g. films, pouches). Composite packaging of glass, paper/cardboard, steel and aluminium is classified in the category of the material that forms its majority (categories 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
Composite packaging (Article 3(1), point (24)) means a unit of packaging made of two or more different materials which are part of the weight of the main packaging material and cannot be separated manually and therefore form a single integral unit, unless one of the materials constitutes an insignificant part of the packaging unit and in any event no more than 5 % of the total mass of the packaging unit and excluding labels, varnishes, paints, inks, adhesives and lacquers; this is without prejudice to Directive (EU) 2019/904.
Recyclability criteria
Packaging recyclability shall be expressed in the performance grades A, B or C. From 2030, recyclability performance is based on design for recycling criteria. The design for recycling criteria shall ensure the circularity of the use of the resulting secondary raw materials of sufficient quality to substitute the primary raw materials. The assessment based on design for recycling criteria shall be carried out for each packaging category listed in Table 1, taking into account the methodology established under Article 6(4) and the related delegated acts, as well as the parameters established in Table 4. After weighing the criteria per packaging unit, it will be classified into categories A, B or C. When a packaging unit’s recyclability performance grade is below 70 %, it is considered to be non-compliant with the recyclability performance grades and therefore the packaging will be considered technically non-recyclable and its placing on the market shall be restricted.
In addition, the assessment of the parameters set out in that list shall consider:
- separability of any component of packaging, either manually by end users or in processing plants,
- efficiency of sorting and recycling processes, for example yield,
- evolution of sorting and recycling technologies (to address the aspect if the packaging cannot be sorted today, but it might be sortable in 2 years), and
- preservation of functionality of secondary raw materials enabling the substitution of primary raw materials.
Annex II, Table 3 and Table 4 of Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
Technical parameters affecting recyclability
Non-exhaustive list of parameters for setting design for recycling criteria under Article 6 (Annex II, Table 4). The list shall be used as a basis when defining design for recycling criteria, as set out in Article 6(4).
- Additives
- Additives refer often to substances added to materials to confer specific properties. The presence of additives in the packaging containers can result in incorrect sorting of the packaging materials during the sorting process and can contaminate the obtained secondary raw materials.
- Labels
- Coverage rate of labels can affect the efficiency of the sorting process. Material from which the label is made and type of glue or adhesive also affect the quality of the secondary raw material.
- Sleeves
- Coverage rate of the sleeve on the main packaging body affects the possibilities for sorting. In addition, the use of sleeves can affect the ability to separate them from the main packaging body. The material from which the sleeve is made can affect both the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging.
- Closures and other small packaging components
- Closures refer to components used to close or seal the packaging. There may be different types of closures, rigid or flexible, such as tamper-evident shrink wrap, linings, caps, lids, seals, valves, etc. The material from which the closures is made can affect both the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging. Closures that are not firmly attached to the packaging can increase litter. Small packaging components attached to the main packaging body can affect the separability and the recyclability of the packaging. In addition, the components can be lost in the sorting and recycling process.
- Adhesives
- Adhesives can be used in such a way that they can be easily separated in the recycling process or by the end user or in a way that they do not affect the efficiency of the sorting and recycling processes. The presence of adhesive residues on the packaging can downgrade the quality (purity) of the secondary raw materials. Washable adhesives can ensure the separation from the main packaging body and that no adhesive residue remains in the secondary raw material.
- Colours
- Colours are substances that impart colour to the packaging material. Heavily dyed materials in paper or plastics can cause problems with regard to sorting and can downgrade the quality of secondary raw materials.
- Material composition
- Use of mono-materials or material combinations that permit easy separation and ensure high yield of secondary raw materials is preferable.
- Barriers / coatings
- The material or substance added to confer barrier properties (barrier), or a variety of materials applied on the surface to impart other properties (coating). The presence of barriers or coatings within the packaging can make recycling more difficult. Combinations that ensure high yield of secondary raw materials are preferable.
- Inks and lacquers / printing/ coding
- Inks and lacquers are mixtures of colorants with other substances applied onto the material by a printing or coating process (ink) or a protective coating made of resin or cellulose ester, or both, dissolved in a volatile solvent (lacquer). Coding refers to printing applied directly to sales packaging for the purpose of batch coding and other information and branding. The use of inks with substances of concern hinders recycling, as those packaging units cannot be recycled. Printing inks when released can contaminate the recycling stream through the washing water. Likewise, printing inks which are not released can impair the transparency of the recycling stream.
- Product residues / ease of emptying
- Residues of the content of the packaging can affect the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging. The design of the packaging should enable the easy emptying of its content and when disposed of should be in a fully drained condition.
- Ease of dismantling
- Components that are firmly attached to each other can affect the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging. Packaging design can facilitate the possibility of separating different components into different material streams.