Which packaging will be banned by 2030?

Staff Cart-One 18/06/2026 0

The European Union has recently approved new measures on packaging, destined to revolutionize the way we produce, use, and dispose of wrapping materials.


Which packaging will be banned by 2030? On April 24, the European Parliament gave the green light to a regulation that aims to make packaging more sustainable and reduce waste. This regulation was approved with a large majority and represents a decisive step toward the circular economy. Read also: “Packaging: paper is the fastest-growing food packaging material

New Rules for Packaging

The new Packaging Regulation, which will enter into force following formal approval by the Council and publication in the Official Journal of the EU, amends and repeals previous regulations, including Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste management. The new provisions point toward a future with less plastic, packaging that is easier to recycle, and fewer harmful chemicals. Let's see in detail what will change.

Recycling and Reduction Targets

The new European rules establish ambitious targets to reduce packaging and increase its recycling:

  • Packaging reduction of 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040;
  • Specific reduction targets for plastic packaging waste;
  • Limits on waste, with a maximum empty space ratio of 50% for multiple packaging and for those intended for e-commerce.

Packaging Banned by 2030

Starting from January 1, 2030, certain types of single-use plastic packaging will be prohibited. These include:

  • Packaging for fresh, unprocessed fruit and vegetables;
  • Packaging for food and beverages consumed inside cafés and restaurants;
  • Single-serve portions of condiments, sauces, coffee creamer, and sugar;
  • Small single-use packaging used in hotels;
  • Ultra-lightweight plastic bags under 15 microns.

Alcoholic Beverage Packaging and Other Provisions

The regulation provides specific reuse targets by 2030 for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packaging, excluding milk, wine, and spirits. Takeaway food and beverage distributors must offer at least 10% of their products in reusable packaging by 2030.

Improvement of Collection and Recycling Systems

All packaging, except for specific materials like lightweight wood and cork, must be recyclable according to strict criteria. By 2029, 90% of single-use metal and plastic beverage containers up to three liters must be collected separately through deposit-refund systems or other effective solutions.

The Italian Case

The new rules have raised objections in Italy. Indeed, our government has expressed concerns regarding the impact of these measures on the national recycling supply chain. The Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto, highlighted how the Italian model is already advanced and exceeds EU targets, and how the new regulations could pose a risk to local industry. The new European rules on packaging represent an important step toward a more sustainable future, with less waste and increased recycling. However, the implementation of these measures will require adaptations and investments from companies in the sector. For those operating in the cardboard packaging industry, these new rules represent an opportunity to innovate and adopt greener practices, thereby strengthening their position in the market and contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for all. See also: “Climate change and environmental impact: summer 2023 the hottest

You may also like...

seo 18/06/2026

5 tips for better organizing company shipments
Organizing company shipments is a crucial and decisive aspect for any commercial activity that wishes to maintain high performance and ensure an effective logistics chain capable of satisfying its customers. 5 tips for better organizing your company shipments. With the growing demand from e-commerce and the need to send goods in a timely and secure manner, companies must be able to efficiently manage their shipping operations. In this article, we will therefore recommend the best strategies to optimize all shipping operations.   Read also: “What double-wall cardboard sheets are used for'”   Correct and effective management of company orders Company shipments must be planned and managed efficiently to ensure that goods arrive at their destination in a timely, precise manner, and in an optimal condition. This can be achieved through the choice of a reliable shipping provider, the creation of a tracking system to monitor the dispatch of goods, and the establishment of procedures to handle any issues or complaints. Therefore, a company must always be capable of correctly managing large quantities of packages and, consequently, optimizing expenses and shipping mechanisms. Let's now find out 5 valuable tips to better organize company shipments.   Plan the shipment in advance Organizing shipments in advance allows you to avoid potential delays and ensure that your packages arrive at their destination on time. Make sure you have all the necessary information, such as shipping addresses and tracking numbers, before sending everything. Planning shipments means in detail: knowing and confirming the orders that will be processed and fulfilled; sorting the order list; choosing the courier to assign to individual shipments.   Evaluate a reliable shipping service The choice of courier depends on your specific needs. If you need to deliver a package quickly, you might choose an express courier; if instead, you need to transport a bulky load, you might opt for a dedicated transport service. Remember that you should never underestimate this aspect, which is fundamental to ensuring that the transport and handover to the final customer are flawless.   Use shipping management software Shipping management software can help you keep track of your packages and monitor delivery status. Furthermore, it can also help you generate shipping labels and automate invoice generation. Using software therefore allows you to have the entire activity under control, from order receipt and shipment creation to courier selection, label printing, shipment monitoring, and the management of any issues.   Keep in touch with customers Communicate effectively and at all times with customers to inform them about the delivery status of their packages. This is a fundamental practice to ensure their satisfaction. Also, make sure to provide them with the tracking number of the package and to notify them in case of any delays or problems. For this reason, you should always analyze the data collected during shipments: in this way you can improve future shipping processes, for example, statistics on delivery times, shipping costs, and the frequency of any issues.   Customized and quality packaging For every product, its own ad hoc shipping box. There are indeed different types of packaging that can be used for shipments, depending on the type of product being shipped and the transport conditions, for example: double-wall cardboard boxes: particularly resistant for more fragile items and to better maintain rigidity, especially if the boxes are stacked; die-cut paper boxes: for paper products such as books, folders, brochures, documents, CDs, vinyls, and other product types that can be affected by humidity; compliant and certified packaging: which must be approved by the carrier providing the transport, ideal for glass bottles and tin containers that must be arranged inside the box so that they remain immobile and isolated from the bottom and side walls, damping and minimizing impacts.   Always remember that, during transport, goods may be subject to compression, vibrations, or accidental bumps during loading and unloading operations. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of box and the protections to be placed inside, in order to improve safety conditions during the transport and sorting of the product. To ensure even more safety for your products, also consider: stretch film: to wrap products and keep them in place inside the box; protective foam: to protect fragile products during transport; polystyrene padding: to fill empty spaces inside the box and protect products during transport; adhesive tape: to close the box and ensure that products remain in place during transport.   In general, it is always important to use adequate packaging to ensure that products arrive at their destination in perfect condition. We hope these tips can help you better organize company shipments. And always remember: “to each their own product, to every need the right performance”. Cart-One offers you packaging capable of ensuring the best performance and a great attention to quality. Discover all our products and contact us for more information or to receive a free quote for your business.   You might also be interested in: “Packaging 2023: all the new packaging developments”
Read more

Staff Cart-One 18/06/2026

The right packaging to best preserve fruit and vegetables
The right packaging to best preserve fruit and vegetables. In this article, we will explore the best practices to optimally store fruit and vegetables, protecting them from spoilage, waste, and nutrient loss. We will discover ideal materials and strategies for effective storage that will allow you to enjoy nature's products to the fullest. Read also: “Food packaging: 7 tips for choosing the most suitable solution for you” The right packaging for fruit and vegetables The importance of suitable packaging to best preserve fruit and vegetables is fundamental to guarantee product freshness, quality, and safety during transport and storage. Here are a few reasons why proper packaging is essential: Prolongs freshness: it helps reduce product interaction with air, moisture, and light—factors that contribute to the rapid deterioration of fruit and vegetables. This helps preserve the product's flavor, texture, and nutrients for longer; Reduces waste: it shields fruit and vegetables from mechanical damage and impacts during transport and handling. By minimizing damage and losses, food waste is significantly reduced; Prevents contamination: secure and hygienic packaging helps prevent contamination from external agents such as bacteria and other pathogens. This is especially vital for delicate items like leafy greens; Optimal moisture retention: some produce requires specific humidity levels to maintain freshness. The right packaging can help regulate internal moisture, preventing mold formation or product dehydration; Facilitates selection and identification: well-designed, clear packaging allows consumers to see the product without opening it, making selection and identification of desired items much easier; Environmental responsibility: reduces environmental impact and contributes to better waste management. Using recyclable or biodegradable materials helps cut down on pollution and plastic waste; Seasonal preservation: extends the availability of out-of-season fruit and vegetables, allowing produce to be imported and safely stored for longer periods; Promotes brand and product identity: eye-catching and well-structured packaging can help promote the product and increase its market visibility. Let us now discover the key tips for designing and manufacturing the perfect packaging for fruit and vegetables. Choosing the right materials Corrugated cardboard offers an excellent solution for preserving the freshness and presentation of fruit and vegetables. The multi-flute structure of the cardboard provides high protection against shocks and mechanical stress during transport and handling. The flutes absorb impacts, reducing the risk of damage. It is also a lightweight material, making it easy to handle and reducing the overall weight of the parcel, a beneficial factor for long-distance shipments as it can lower freight costs. The choice of corrugated cardboard type depends mainly on the kind of fruit and vegetables you want to pack and your storage requirements. For delicate or pressure-sensitive fruits, like strawberries or raspberries, it is recommended to use a thinner corrugated cardboard to reduce pressure on them; for hardier fruits like apples, you can opt for a thicker corrugated cardboard for greater protection. Furthermore, the packaging must feature: Suitable dimensions: the box must be spacious enough to contain the desired amount of fruit to avoid crushing during transit; Internal compartments: to prevent collision between fruits, keep them stable, and maintain their integrity; Breathability: the corrugated cardboard packaging must allow good air circulation. Breathability is particularly crucial for certain fruit varieties that require greater aeration to stay fresh. Storing at proper temperatures Some items require a cold environment, while others thrive at higher temperatures. Here are some general guidelines: Refrigerator: most vegetables should be stored in the bottom crisper drawer of the fridge, where the temperature is slightly higher and humidity can be regulated. More delicate fruit should be placed on the upper shelves, where the temperature is more constant; Control humidity: some refrigerators feature a dedicated drawer with humidity control for leafy greens. This helps maintain moisture at the optimal level to prolong freshness; Bananas and citrus fruits: oranges and lemons as well as bananas can be stored at room temperature, as the cold can alter their flavor and texture. Separating ripe produce from unripe produce Ripe produce releases ethylene gas, a plant hormone that accelerates the ripening of other items around it. This can lead to faster decay and waste. Therefore, it is best to store ripe produce separately from unripe products. Regularly checking storage status To avoid waste and ensure freshness, it is essential to regularly check the storage status of fruit and vegetables. Promptly discard any moldy, bruised, or decaying produce to prevent it from damaging the rest. By using appropriate packaging and following correct storage practices, you can keep fruit and vegetables fresh and tasty for longer. Always remember that proper storage not only improves food quality but is also a sustainable choice for the planet, helping to reduce environmental impact. Choose Cart-One for your fruit and vegetable packaging. Cart-One serves as a dynamic and flexible partner capable of providing a constantly updated range of proven high-quality paper-based packaging solutions. Contact us for more information, we are completely at your disposal. See also: “How to find the best packaging for your product”
Read more

seo 19/06/2026

Packaging in the time of the coronavirus: data and considerations
Following the lockdown, a sudden rise in purchases of essential products such as flour, rice, milk, cannery, yeast and personal hygiene products such as pharmaceuticals and sanitizers occurred. In conjunction with the purchase of essential goods, consumers have returned to appreciate the packaging and its main features, such as preserving and protecting the integrity of the content. But not only that: the ability of the packaging to keep the flavor and quality of the products intact over the long term has been re-evaluated, and the security that these bring to the goods preserving them from any type of manipulation or external contamination. In addition, thanks to the increased demand for food at home, the ability to preserve the product during all stages of transport has been increasingly appreciated. The increase in e-commerce during and after Covid-19 Online shopping increased exponentially during and after the quarantine period. The trend of online sales has in fact even gone from 81% to 162%. (Source: Nielsen) Also from a survey by the Netcomm Consortium it emerges that 77% of e-commerce has acquired new customers, demonstrating that the crisis caused during and after the Coronavirus has induced several consumers to approach online purchases for the first time. Specifically, however, the trend is not homogeneous: the boom in online sales mainly concerns basic necessities. An opportunity for packaging What happened in this period of crisis translates into an opportunity for those who produce and design packaging, to be an active part in the packaging solutions that home distribution requires. Innovation, sustainability, flexibility and customization are the keys to conquer the online shop. (Could it be interesting: Tailored proposals and more personalized products: this is how the Inkjet guides Sandra). But not only. It will be essential to propose innovative solutions towards types of packaging that, in addition to preserving the content, communicate the values ​​that the post-covid has led us to achieve. Recyclable, reusable and "sustainable" packaging to preserve the environment and packaging specially designed to meet the needs of end consumers. (Could it be interesting: Food Packaging, how and what to do to win customers over)
Read more

Cerca...