This is an annual event that traditionally features various stakeholders involved in the production of packaging and goods in packaging, as well as in packaging waste management: large packaging and goods in packaging manufacturers, representatives of the European Commission, researchers studying packaging waste recycling, and the functioning of the circular economy, among others.

Within the Forum, the EXPRA Alliance organized the EPR Toolkit seminar, which addressed important issues and best practices of EPR organizations in other countries.

The Forum also touched upon the important role that packaging and packaging waste will play in the EU circular economy, particularly the issues of recycling targets, the challenges of packaging reuse, the prospect of banning single-use packaging, and the impact of these changes on brand design/identity.

The Forum is important as a platform for the exchange of experiences among Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organizations from different countries. Their representatives share their achievements and challenges, particularly in the context of meeting targets for packaging waste collection and management. This facilitates the development and dissemination of best practices, which each participant seeks to adapt to their own realities and needs.

It goes without saying that these issues are extremely relevant for Ukraine, where preparations are underway to implement the principles of a circular economy. In particular, several draft laws “On Packaging and Packaging Waste” are currently under consideration in the parliament.

“Participation in the Forum on Packaging Waste and Sustainable Development is a unique opportunity for UKRPEC,” says Volodymyr Slabyi. “Exchanging experiences is very valuable, not only with those countries where EPR policies have been implemented for a long time but also with those who, like us, are just starting out. For example, this time I had meetings with representatives from Denmark and Switzerland. These countries recently had a tax system, and now they are also transitioning to EPR principles. UKRPEC has accumulated numerous contacts with EPR organization leaders from various countries, who have expressed their readiness to provide Ukrainian colleagues with their expert and other support.”

This time, the focus of the Forum participants was on the upcoming amendments to the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste, which are expected to be a truly revolutionary step. The European Commission is setting increasingly ambitious targets for producers regarding packaging waste management, with a significant emphasis on reusable packaging (the Directive is expected to set specific target percentages for the market share of such packaging).

Furthermore, the implementation of circular economy principles in the EU aims to minimize environmental pollution, reduce pressure on landfills, and provide additional raw materials for industry. Thus, EU countries plan to achieve recycling targets for major waste types at a level of 65% by 2025 and 70% by 2030. After 2025, only recyclable packaging should be produced within the territories of EU member states.

According to Volodymyr Slabyi, the main advantage of the European approach, which Ukraine should also follow, is the absence (with a few exceptions) of so-called “waste procurement” companies and the key role in packaging waste management played by representatives of the real economic sector – packaging and goods in packaging manufacturers (according to the EPR principle).

UKRPEC continues to monitor trends in the implementation of EPR policies in developed Western countries and will continue to contribute to the implementation of the best practices in Ukraine.