PPWR recycled-content rules for plastic packaging
PPWR Article 7 requires a minimum share of recycled plastic in the plastic part of packaging, with the exact percentage depending on the application. From 1 January 2030 the targets are 30% for single-use plastic beverage bottles, 30% for contact-sensitive PET, 10% for other contact-sensitive plastic, and 35% for all other plastic packaging. From 1 January 2040 those rise to 65%, 50%, 25% and 65% respectively.
These targets apply to plastic packaging only. The recycled content is measured as an average per plant and year, recovered from post-consumer plastic waste.
This is general information about Regulation (EU) 2025/40, not legal advice. Confirm anything you act on with qualified counsel or an accredited body.
The exact percentages
| Plastic packaging application | From 2030 | From 2040 |
|---|---|---|
| Single-use plastic beverage bottles (e.g. PET drinks bottles) | 30% | 65% |
| Contact-sensitive packaging made mainly of PET | 30% | 50% |
| Contact-sensitive packaging, plastic other than PET | 10% | 25% |
| All other plastic packaging | 35% | 65% |
"Contact-sensitive" packaging is packaging in direct contact with food, cosmetics, medical products and similar, where the recycled-plastic input has to meet stricter safety rules, which is why its 2030 target is lower for non-PET material.
Which target applies to your packaging
The path through Article 7 depends on three questions about each plastic packaging type:
- Is it a single-use plastic beverage bottle? If yes, the beverage-bottle target (30% → 65%) applies.
- Is it contact-sensitive? If yes, then whether it is mainly PET (30% → 50%) or another plastic (10% → 25%).
- Otherwise it falls into "other plastic packaging" (35% → 65%).
How it is measured and documented
The recycled content is calculated as an average of the recycled plastic in the packaging, recovered from post-consumer plastic waste, per manufacturing plant and per year (Art. 7). You will need documentation from your material suppliers to evidence the recycled share, which is exactly the kind of supplier record the report's request letters are built to collect.
Which packaging is exempt
Contact-sensitive packaging is generally in scope and carries the targets in the table above, the lower 2030 figure for non-PET material reflects the stricter safety rules, not an exemption. The recycled-content targets do not apply to a defined set of categories in Article 7(4) and 7(5):
- immediate and outer packaging of medicinal products, and contact-sensitive plastic packaging of medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic devices (Art. 7(4));
- compostable plastic packaging, and packaging used to transport dangerous goods (Art. 7(4));
- contact-sensitive plastic packaging for food intended for infants and young children and food for special medical purposes (Art. 7(4));
- plastic food-contact packaging where the recycled content would threaten human health or breach Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, and any plastic part representing less than 5% of the total weight of the whole packaging unit (Art. 7(5)).
What is still being finalised
The calculation and verification methodology for recycled content, including how the recycled share is computed and evidenced (for example, the treatment of chemically recycled feedstock and mass-balance accounting), is set out in implementing acts under Art. 7 that were not yet final as of 10 July 2026. The Commission is also due, by 1 January 2028, to assess the need for further derogations for specific plastic packaging (Art. 7(12)). Treat the percentages above as the regulation's targets and confirm the measurement rules against the Commission's implementing acts as they are adopted.
Get this mapped to your own packaging
The report screens your packaging profile against Regulation (EU) 2025/40 and returns only the obligations that apply to you, each with its threshold, deadline and article, plus supplier letters ready to send.
Get my PPWR obligations report →Frequently asked questions
What recycled content does the PPWR require in plastic bottles?
For single-use plastic beverage bottles, Article 7 requires at least 30% recycled content from 1 January 2030, rising to 65% from 1 January 2040, measured as an average per plant and year from post-consumer plastic waste.
Do the recycled-content targets apply to paper, glass or metal packaging?
No. The Article 7 minimum recycled-content targets apply to plastic packaging. Paper, glass and metal packaging are still covered by other PPWR duties (recyclability, minimisation, labelling, EPR) but not by these plastic recycled-content percentages.
What is "contact-sensitive" packaging?
It is packaging in direct contact with sensitive products such as food, cosmetics and medical goods. The recycled input for contact-sensitive packaging must meet stricter safety rules, so its 2030 recycled-content target is lower for non-PET plastics (10%) than for other plastic packaging (35%).
How is recycled content measured?
As an average of recycled plastic recovered from post-consumer waste, per manufacturing plant and per calendar year (Article 7). The detailed calculation and verification methodology is set by implementing acts that were still pending as of 10 July 2026.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), Art. 7 minimum recycled content in plastic packaging; 2030 targets 30/30/10/35%, 2040 targets 65/50/25/65%, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj/eng
- Recycled-content calculation/verification implementing acts under Art. 7, status: pending as of 10 July 2026, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en