New CAC 2025 rates: what changes for paper, wood, glass, and plastic

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Staff Cart-One 17/06/2026 0

From July 1, 2025, the new rates for CAC Environmental Contributions for paper, wood, glass, and plastic packaging will come into force. These changes, established by CONAI in collaboration with the Rilegno, Corepla, Comieco, and Coreve consortia, aim to maintain the economic sustainability of recycling chains and promote a more efficient circular economy. New CAC 2025 rates: what changes for paper, wood, glass, and plastic. Let's discover together in detail the introduced changes, how they will influence companies, and what strategies to adopt to optimize packaging management. Read also: “CE marking of machinery: what changes with the EU/2023/1230 regulation”

Why are the new CAC rates necessary?

The modulation of the CAC stems from the need to guarantee the financial balance of the consortia responsible for the collection, sorting, and recycling of different packaging materials. In recent years, changes in the raw materials market and a decline in revenues from the sale of recycled materials have put pressure on the system, requiring a structural intervention to maintain the sustainability of operational activities. In particular, the new rates aim to:

  • Support supply chain consortia in their recycling activities.
  • Adjust contributions to the actual management costs of packaging waste.
  • Promote greater environmental responsibility among companies that place packaging on the market.

Paper packaging: more tiers and benefits for certified composites

For the paper sector, the contribution tiers will increase from six to eight, with greater granularity in packaging classification. This choice will allow the contribution to be applied more fairly and reward companies that choose more sustainable packaging solutions. The main changes include:

  • Introduction of benefits for certified composites in categories B1 and C1, which could benefit from reduced rates.
  • One-year trial: A trial period will allow monitoring the impact of the new rates and making any adjustments based on the results obtained.
  • Operational guidelines: CONAI and Comieco will shortly publish guidelines to help companies adapt correctly to the new criteria, with particular attention to small companies that place minimal volumes of composite packaging on the market.

Wood packaging: a gradual increase to support Rilegno

Wood packaging will also see an increase in the environmental contribution, which will rise from 7 €/ton to 9 €/ton. This modification has been designed to support the Rilegno consortium, ensuring the coverage of management costs and maintaining financial balance. Why this increase?

  • The wood sector is facing challenges related to the decline in revenues from the sale of recycled material.
  • The increase in the CAC allows collection and recycling operations to remain active, avoiding disruptions in the service.
  • This is an adjustment that had been planned for some time, part of a long-term financial stabilization plan.

Glass packaging: environmental contributions doubled in two phases

The environmental contribution for glass packaging will undergo a significant increase in two phases:

  • From July 1, 2025: The CAC will rise from 15 €/ton to 35 €/ton.
  • From January 1, 2026: Further increase to 40 €/ton.

What led to this decision?

  • Market difficulties: the Coreve consortium reported a drastic reduction in revenues from the sale of recycled materials.
  • Drop in auction prices: in the last auction of October 2024, prices fell to a quarter compared to the beginning of the year, heavily impacting the consortium's budget.
  • Increase in operational costs: the return of large quantities of glass packaging waste generated an increase in management costs, making a revision of the environmental contribution necessary.

Plastic packaging: rates modulated for all nine tiers

For plastic packaging, the nine contribution tiers in force since 2023 will remain unchanged, but the rates will be updated. Corepla recorded a 4.6% increase in collected plastic packaging waste, with a consequent increase in management and sorting costs. New CAC Rates for Plastic (from July 1, 2025)

  • A1.1: From 24.00 €/ton to 40.00 €/ton.
  • A1.2: From 90.00 €/ton to 87.00 €/ton.
  • A2: From 220,00 €/ton to 258.00 €/ton.
  • B1.1: From 224.00 €/ton to 219.00 €/ton.
  • B1.2: From 233.00 €/ton to 228.00 €/ton.
  • B2.1: From 441.00 €/ton to 611.00 €/ton.
  • B2.2: From 589.00 €/ton to 724.00 €/ton.
  • B2.3: From 650.00 €/ton to 785.00 €/ton.
  • C: From 655.00 €/ton to 790.00 €/ton.

How to prepare for the new CACs? The support of Cart-One

Companies in the packaging sector will need to adapt quickly to these new rates, reviewing their packaging and waste management strategies. Cart-One offers innovative solutions to:

  • Optimize the use of packaging materials, choosing lighter and more recyclable solutions that reduce CAC costs.
  • Avoid overpackaging, proposing smart packaging that minimizes waste.
  • Support companies in the transition towards sustainable packaging, helping them comply with new regulations and improve their environmental footprint.

Facing 2025 with the right solutions

The modulation of environmental contributions represents a challenge, but also an opportunity to rethink packaging strategies from a sustainable perspective. Preparing at best means adopting solutions that not only comply with the new regulations but also improve the company's operational efficiency and competitiveness. Cart-One is ready to guide you along this path, offering the necessary support to transform your packaging into a true strategic asset. Want to know more about how to optimize your packaging in view of the new CACs? Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how our solutions can help you make a difference! You might also be interested in: “Food product labeling: what changes with the new MIMIT guidelines” Source: ItaliaImballaggio

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