We’re not JUST square,
we’re circular

RECYCLING STARTS WITH COLLECTION

FAQs

Why was 90% specifically chosen as this target?

  • Collection is the pre-condition to recycling. The beverage carton industry is committed to reach a 90% collection rate by 2030. It actively supports collection and recycling including through investments, but it also needs framework conditions to be in place notably to secure the viability of industry and private investments.
  • A 90% collection target for used beverage cartons would present many benefits including:
    • Significant savings in GHG emissions contributing to the EU climate ambitions
    • Contribution to the paper recycling rate and to MS targets contributing to the EU circularity ambitions
    • Level playing field for all packaging
    • Traceability of recycling of beverage cartons
    • Harmonised approach across the EU – some MS support a target for used beverage carton collection but would prefer an EU approach
    • Incentive to investments in sorting and recycling
    • Administration costs for MS / COM would be negligible as the responsibility for reporting and aggregating data is with PROs.
  • Setting an ambitious 90% collection for recycling target for the recycling of beverage cartons would re-establish the level playing field between competing beverage packaging and hence correct the market distortions brought about by the SUPD 90% collection target for plastic bottles.

How did you calculate the environmental impact of a collection target for beverage cartons?

  • A collection for recycling target will help decrease the amount of CO2 that is produced, the higher the collection the higher the recycling rate. Should a 90% target be introduced, it would achieve a reduction of 990 k tons – 1140 K tons by 2030. 

If your industry represents only 4% of the beverage packaging industry, is the lack of an EU collection for recycling target truly that burdensome?

  • The beverage packaging industry represents 4% of a low-carbon, circular and sustainable packaging solution that the beverage carton industry offers to consumers. In addition, beverage cartons make up ~75% of milk packaging volumes put on the EU market. Overall, 900k tons of beverage cartons are put on the market annually. 
  • Beverage cartons are essential in achieving the European Green Deal climate neutrality goals as they contribute to enhancing the sustainability of the entire packaging sector. 

What is the timeline for the recycling facilities that are not yet opened?

  • For various reasons, we are not able to publicly disclose timeline specifics. However, we do foresee these new facilities opening over the course of a 1-3 year period. 

Are there any administrative costs that you foresee Member States or other EU agencies taking up from the establishment of a collection for recycling target for beverage cartons?

  • Increases to national administration costs are negligible as the main responsibility will remain with the PROs.  We do not foresee any financial impacts for EU agencies.