Camembert and salt sachets win reprieve from new EU packaging rules

Camembert, cardboard and salt and pepper sachets have won a full or partial reprieve from draft EU packaging rules.

The EU proposals have seen French cheese makers form an unlikely alliance with Irish packaging giant Smurfit Kappa and US fast-food chain McDonald’s in a bid to oppose the changes, which they said would harm their businesses without helping the environment.

MEPs tweaked a European Commission proposal, tabled last year, which is seeking to make all packaging either reusable or recyclable by 2030, along with a mandatory target to reduce overall packaging use by 15pc by 2040.

MEPs are seeking an additional mandatory target for plastic packaging, which they say should be cut by 20pc by 2040.

They want to ban the sale of very lightweight plastic carrier bags, the kinds that are used for loose fruit and vegetables in supermarkets, unless they are required for hygiene reasons or to prevent waste.

And they want to ban certain chemicals including Bisphenol A (BPA), a substance used in manufacturing plastics such as food containers or water bottles.

They are also proposing restrictions on single-use packaging such as hotel shampoo and conditioner miniatures bottles and shrink-wrap for suitcases.

Cardboard has won a partial reprieve.

Online retailers that use paper and cardboard for transporting products will effectively be exempt if they are based in a country with a high recycling rate for that material.

Ireland has one of the EU’s highest overall recycling rates, but it has one of the lowest rates for recycling packing waste.

And per capita, Irish people are the most wasteful in the EU, generating 246.1kg of packaging waste per person in 2021, well above the EU average of 188kg and an almost 10pc increase on the previous year.

Irish packaging giant Smurfit Kappa has repeatedly criticised the original Commission proposal, saying mandatory targets on reusable packaging could end up creating a mountain of plastic waste.

Saverio Mayer, chief executive of Smurfit Kappa Europe, said MEPs “took a pragmatic approach” to the legislation and called on EU environment ministers to do the same.

The original Commission proposal had set a target for 90pc of transport packaging to be reusable by 2040 and restricted manufacturers from using “excessive packaging” for smaller items, including bubble wrap and packing chips to fill empty space.

It also set reuse targets for take-away cartons and coffee cups.

Camembert makers have been granted a specific opt-out on making their circular wood containers reusable, after a public outcry, including by French Europe minister Laurence Boone, who, according to French media, said the move would turn Europe into a “caricature” before next June’s elections.

EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said that exemptions were warranted based on “cultural heritage” where there were very small quantities of such goods on the market.

After a long and difficult vote, MEPs approved the packaging report by 426 votes in favour to 125 against, with 74 abstentions.

EU governments must still adopt their position before three-way negotiations with the European Commission can start.

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