The minimum standard 2024 for recyclable packaging published by the ZSVR helps industry and retailers to determine the proportion of recyclable materials in their packaging more clearly and precisely.
The latest survey of the Federal Environment Agency's (UBA) „Packaging sorting and recycling practice“ comes to the following conclusion: The capacities for previously non-recyclable packaging materials (rejects) from the recycling of liquid cartons (FKN) have increased noticeably compared to the 2023 minimum standard. Sorting and recycling plants have been able to recycle significantly more plastic and aluminium into high-quality materials. In addition, sorting plants for lightweight packaging (LVP) are increasingly succeeding in also sort small-format flexible PE films and for recycling.
The consequence of this for the 2024 minimum standard is that the previously mandatory individual verification of plastic and aluminium content in FKN will only be recommended in future. In addition, the ZSVR expert group has responded to the improved results in the LVP sorting plants and removed the size criterion as a prerequisite for high-quality recycling of flexible plastic films.
Background: Every year, the UBA analyses the sorting and recycling practices of German packaging waste, that are typically generated by private end consumers. It is analysed how likely it is that packaging that has been disposed of correctly will be sorted accordingly and recycled to a high standard. The further development of the minimum standard is based on these results and ensures that technical developments are mapped in a timely manner.
Minimum standard 2024 ensures greater clarity and precision
The updated minimum standard clarifies that separate packaging components must be assessed separately. This allows companies to determine the recyclability of packaging consisting of different components in an even more differentiated manner. This also complies with the planned regulations of the European Packaging Ordinance (PPWR). In order to assess the recycling capacities and incompatibilities of packaging, companies from industry and trade must consider the target application from the outset.
Means: It must be clear where the recyclates are used once they have been extracted. The 2024 minimum standard therefore contains reference applications for the individual material fractions. The ZSVR thus also takes account of the industry's need for greater clarity and precision. The participants in the upstream consultation process welcome the changes.
In addition to environmental progress at national level, the sixth edition of the minimum standard helps companies to prepare for the planned PPWR. This is expected to come into force gradually from mid-2026. In future, this will oblige industry and trade, that packaging must contain a certain proportion of recycled material. However, the recyclate is only available if the recycling process produces it. This in turn requires recyclable packaging with a high proportion of recyclable materials. The new minimum standard helps companies to determine the recyclable content of packaging even more precisely.
The German procedure for the further development of the minimum standard could a role model in Europe take a leading role. This is characterised, among other things, by the participation of the ZSVR expert group with more than 30 specialists. This means that it represents all stages of the value chain and all types of material. Following the annual public consultation process, the ZSVR revises the minimum standard together with the UBA - only then does it publish it.
„By involving the entire value chain, we achieve a high level of professional quality. This allows us to quickly discuss and take into account the latest packaging trends and technical developments. Only together can we drive ecological progress forward.“ Gunda Rachut, Board of Directors ZSVR
The minimum standard helps the economy to optimise national recycling infrastructures and increase recycling volumes. The German Packaging Act is aimed at high-quality recycling and is already preparing companies for the upcoming PPWR.
Source: ZSVR
