EU PPWR: What the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation Means for Glass Packaging

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Regulation (EU) 2025/40, introduces new rules covering packaging and packaging waste across the European Union.

The Regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and generally applies from 12 August 2026, with a number of requirements being introduced progressively.

For UK businesses selling or exporting packaged products into the EU, PPWR is an important development to be aware of. At Wares of Knutsford, we are working with our suppliers and wider group partners to understand the changes and obtain relevant information about the glass jars, bottles, lids and closures we supply.

What is PPWR?

PPWR replaces the previous EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and is intended to create a more consistent approach to packaging legislation across EU Member States.

It covers packaging throughout its life cycle, from design and manufacture through to use, collection, recycling and waste management.

Broadly, the Regulation aims to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability, encourage reuse and refill where appropriate, and support a more circular approach to packaging across Europe.

Why Does PPWR Matter to UK Businesses?

Although the UK is no longer part of the European Union, PPWR may still be relevant to UK businesses placing packaged products on the EU market.

This means businesses exporting products such as food, drink, cosmetics or other packaged goods to EU countries should be aware of PPWR and consider whether its requirements apply to their products and packaging.

The requirements that apply will depend on a number of factors, including the type of packaging and how the finished product is placed on the market.

What Areas Does PPWR Cover?

PPWR is wide-ranging, but some of the main areas relating to packaging include:

Recyclability

The Regulation introduces requirements intended to improve the recyclability of packaging placed on the EU market.

Glass benefits from an established recycling infrastructure and can be recycled repeatedly when correctly collected and processed.

Packaging Minimisation

Reducing unnecessary packaging and avoiding over-packaging are important elements of PPWR.

The Regulation places greater emphasis on minimising packaging weight and volume while still allowing packaging to perform its necessary functions, such as protecting and safely transporting the product.

For glass packaging, this is one reason why lightweighting is becoming an increasingly important area of development.

Reuse & Refill

PPWR includes reuse and refill requirements for certain types of packaging and sectors.

Glass can be well suited to reuse and refill applications where appropriate systems for collection, cleaning and redistribution are available.

Labelling & Consumer Information

The Regulation also introduces requirements relating to packaging labelling and consumer information, with the aim of making packaging easier to identify, sort and recycle.

Recycled Content

PPWR includes recycled-content requirements for certain types of plastic packaging.

Although these requirements are less directly relevant to the glass container itself, other components used as part of a packaging solution may also need to be considered.

What Could PPWR Mean for Glass Jars and Bottles?

Glass remains a well-established packaging material for the food, drink, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other industries. It is widely recyclable, inert and suitable for reuse within appropriate systems.

For businesses using glass packaging, PPWR may bring greater focus to areas including:

• Recyclability

• Packaging weight and lightweighting

• Minimising unnecessary packaging

• Labelling

• Lids and closures

• Secondary and transit packaging

It is important to remember that a complete packaging solution can include more than the glass bottle or jar itself. Closures, labels, cartons and other components may also need to be considered by businesses assessing their own requirements.

How is Wares of Knutsford Preparing for PPWR?

At Wares of Knutsford, we are aware of the forthcoming PPWR requirements and are working with our suppliers and wider group partners to understand how they apply to the packaging products we supply.

As part of this process, information is being requested from suppliers across our product categories regarding their preparations for PPWR and, where available, relevant supporting documentation.

This includes the manufacturers and suppliers of our glass bottles, glass jars, lids, closures and other packaging products.

Our aim is to maintain good visibility throughout our supply chain and provide relevant product and supplier information to our customers where it is available.

Supporting Our Customers

We recognise that changes to packaging legislation can be difficult to navigate, particularly for smaller businesses without dedicated packaging or regulatory teams.

Our role as your packaging supplier is to provide the product and supplier information available to us, rather than to determine whether an individual business or finished product complies with PPWR.

As implementation progresses and further information and guidance become available, we will continue to work with our suppliers, manufacturers and wider group partners and update the information we provide where appropriate.

If you purchase glass jars, bottles, lids or closures from Wares of Knutsford and require available product or supplier documentation for your own PPWR assessment, please contact our team and we'll be happy to help where we can.

Last updated: August 2026