Since 12 August 2026, the EU Packaging Regulation PPWR has been in force. For the coffee and tea industry, it brings, among other things, changes to the classification and collection of capsules, pads and tea bags. This has been pointed out by the Austrian Coffee and Tea Association.
According to the PPWR, coffee and tea capsules, coffee pads and tea bags, as well as other packaging for coffee and tea products, are explicitly classified as packaging. They therefore fall under the relevant requirements of the regulation. These will be implemented gradually in the coming years and concern, among other things, recyclability, labelling and recycled content.
New collection system for coffee capsules
A new collection system for coffee pods is planned in Austria from October 2026. According to the association, pods made of metal or plastic can continue to be disposed of via the existing separate collection facilities at recycling centres and points of sale. In addition, it will in future be possible to dispose of them via the Yellow Sack or the Yellow Bin. Traditional coffee pads and tea bags, for example those based on paper, are to be collected via the organic waste bin.
In this context, the Coffee and Tea Association points to its capsule recycling project run jointly with Altstoff Recycling Austria (ARA). Since its launch in 2023, 9.1 million capsules have already been collected through it.
Further PPWR regulations will follow
According to the association, companies that place packaging on the market must prove its conformity and fulfil corresponding labelling requirements. Exceptions apply in some cases for micro-enterprises. By 2028, a uniform EU-wide labelling system is intended to make waste separation easier. From 2030, requirements for the recyclability of packaging, higher recycled content and initial reuse targets will take effect, amongst other things.
Source: Austrian Tea Institute
