From today, all household packaging in Spain must include mandatory information on the container or fraction in which it must be deposited, as established by Royal Decree 1055/2022 on Packaging and Packaging Waste. This measure, which excludes B2B packaging (used between companies), marks a milestone in the regulation of household waste and seeks to reduce its environmental impact. The Plastics Technology Institute(AIMPLAS) has highlighted that this Royal Decree places Spain as a pioneer in the adoption of measures towards the circular economy, aligning with the new European Packaging Regulation, which will be mandatory in 2025. Key measures that will come into force that year include the obligation to indicate whether a package is reusable and the incorporation of the Deposit, Return and Refund System (DRS) symbol. This system will incentivize consumers to return empty containers through a refundable deposit, starting with PET and polyethylene bottles of less than 3 liters.
Towards more sustainable packaging
By 2030, packaging must be 100% recyclable, reducing their weight and volume to a minimum, and some single-use packaging, such as those for fresh fruit and vegetables, individual portions or small plastic bags, will be banned. AIMPLAS has stressed that these regulations seek a balance between sustainability, functionality and transparency, benefiting both the end consumer and all actors in the value chain.
