Debate: Packaging and packaging waste
Date: TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Virginijus Sinkevičius
Language: EN

So we must ensure that the measures with significant implications for businesses are stretching but proportionate, that there is sufficient time for the transition, and that SMEs are not overburdened. Both citizens and businesses expect us to act with ambition and realism, and we are determined more than ever to work together to ensure that all concerns are addressed and the Commission is here to help and discuss. Let me come back briefly on a few individual points that I think are extremely important to address. First of all, prices for consumers. I heard quite a few statements on prices for consumers. I ask you to use your common sense. All this shiny new packaging that we fill our bins with – 190 kg per year – this costs money to deal with. So we estimated that with our measures that we have on the table, consumers will actually save EUR 100 per person per year. Inaction, if we continue with the same scenario as we have now, would cost 6.4 billion relative to 2030, and that’s a cost for the economy, for the society, for the environment. Very simple: less waste, less resources, less costs. And that’s good for both citizens and the environment. I’ve heard also quite a few remarks as regards the impact assessment, that it’s not sound, that there is no impact assessment. I want to reassure you that an impact assessment was done – a very careful one – and that the reuse targets lead to a decrease of water consumption and a reduction of CO2 emissions of 1.25 million tonnes in 2030. The Commission is fully aware that some LCAs with a specific scope on certain sectors and based on arbitrary model assumptions can come with different results. The Commission proposal, though, acknowledges the role of single-use packaging, and thus our proposal foresees a coexistence of both systems established in a way to reap the maximum economic and of course environmental benefits. Now, on reuse, the architecture of the Commission proposal builds on improvement of both reuse and recycling, and we cannot be naive that with these growing numbers of waste that we can recycle our way out of it. I am very sorry to take a bit more time, but I think it is extremely important to reply to the questions that the members of Parliament have put forward. The last thing, which was very sensitive, on some of the packaging of some of the cultural heritage. So indeed, in the EU, certain food packaging made of wood, textiles, ceramics is placed on the market in very small quantities, and many of them protected by the food quality legislation. So the Commission is aware that such packaging may have difficulties to be recycled at scale and is open for specific exemptions, notably where certain packaging materials or formats are required for specific food and products. Finally, honourable Members, let me assure you there will be no compromises when it comes to food safety, and we duly analyse the measures to avoid any increase of food waste. And when it comes to the impacts on the producers of single-use packaging, let me recall you that our approach foresees a coexistence. Single-use packaging will not disappear. Our analysis concludes that volumes for cardboard- and paper-based single-use packaging will flatline at the levels they reached a few years ago. So there is no disruption in a business case, because when the regulation kicks in, production levels would be still higher than a decade ago. Honourable Members, I think we are united in the task. We must do more to reverse the rising tide of packaging waste, and we must do it as soon as possible. Most importantly, this will benefit the environment, reduce pollution and safeguard our single market. Let’s listen to our citizens and provide solutions. And the Commission is there to do its utmost to support agreement in the coming months. And of course, I count on you and I trust we can make it. Sorry for taking a bit more time.