July 1, 2026 15:29

The European Commission adopted new rules on the recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles, mainly PET bottles, introducing for the first time a methodology to calculate, verify and report chemically or mechanically recycled content (see annex).

The new rules, Brussels said, will ensure transparency in the calculation of recycled content in single-use PET bottles. They apply to any recycling technology, whether mechanical or chemical. The aim is to ensure that the combined use of different processes helps meet the targets introduced under the Single-Use Plastics Directive.

In an initial phase, only recycled PET content originating from the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA) countries will be counted, as compliance with EU environmental rules can be fully verified there.

From 21 November 2027, recycled plastic from OECD countries will also count, unless it is excluded under the Waste Shipment Regulation. Material from non-OECD countries may also be counted when covered by arrangements ensuring equivalent standards for the protection of human health and the environment, for example under the Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

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