Grey paint buckets, blue plant pots, 90% recyclate use and fully recyclable - just two of many examples that show that considerable progress has been made in product responsibility for packaging. With the amendment to the Packaging Act, foreign manufacturers and marketplaces are now also better integrated into the responsibility. Conclusion of the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR): There is no longer any excuse for not organising packaging as a future resource.
The Recycling volumes from the dual system increased again by 8.4 per cent in 2020. The statutory quotas were achieved by the systems on average. The basis for this is considerable Progress in packaging designed for recycling. There is a large selection of fully recyclable packaging without compromising on product protection: all shapes, all materials and a variety of designs for marketing. What is clear is that Packaging made from mono-material is ahead in terms of recyclability have. The minimum standard for the assessment of recyclable design for packaging has initiated many innovations.
„The Marketing has discovered ecological packaging. If it is mono-packaging that is suitable for recycling and also saves material, then the minimum standard has achieved its effect. If it is a composite material that is difficult to recycle and only suggests ‚eco‘ with a brown colour, then it is a dead end in terms of the circular economy.“
Gunda Rachut, Management Board of Central Agency Packaging Register Foundation (ZSVR)
The year 2021 was also characterised by the amendment to the Packaging Act. In the first stage of implementation, the packaging register LUCID integrated the option for foreign manufacturers to appoint an authorised representative in Germany. This is intended to guarantee the implementation of the substantive obligations. Modelled on the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act the legislator hopes for a significant increase in the legally compliant implementation of foreign manufacturers.
A further stage of the new regulations will come into force on 1 July 2022: the Full registration for all types of packaging and responsibility for marketplaces and fulfilment service providers. This makes it clear that no one who is not registered is allowed to sell packaged goods in Germany. The marketplaces must ensure this for their suppliers.
"The Registration figures have risen significantly in 2021, especially from China. The extended obligations address the known weak points: Foreign manufacturers, marketplaces and free riders. We implemented the first stage on 3 July 2021 on time with a tour de force. We are currently working on implementing the legislative changes on 1 July 2022 in a streamlined manner so that the Manufacturer can show with as little bureaucracy as possible that they have the Product responsibility for your packaging seriously.“
Gunda Rachut
It is now important to safeguard and build on the progress made under the Packaging Act. New packaging developments must be integrated into the assessment of the minimum standard. The annual revision has proven its worth in order to correctly reflect the high level of innovation. Further development opportunities will arise from the evaluation of the Packaging Act.
"The Direction is positiveThe Packaging Act has triggered the necessary developments. There is no longer any excuse for not using unavoidable packaging as a future resource,“ summarises Gunda Rachut.
Under the title „Packaging is a resource - LUCID packaging register - status quo and prospects“, the Central Agency Packaging Register Foundation and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) at this year's press conference in Berlin a A look back and a look ahead on the situation in Germany. Important topics were the Packaging design, system participation and recycling rates. Packaging avoidance and recyclable packaging design should help to achieve a closed-loop management of the valuable resource „packaging“.
Source: Stiftung Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister
