New regulations take effect – caps attached to plastic bottles

Are you surprised that the cap is now attached to the plastic bottle? This change is not coincidental – new regulations come into effect from today. The European Union has made it mandatory to permanently combine caps with plastic bottles and cartons. The goal of the new regulations is to reduce the amount of plastic waste going into the environment and increase the chances of successful recycling. This change provokes different reactions among consumers, and for producers it means additional production costs. Consumers may be uncomfortable with the new solution, but it is significant in the context of the global plastic waste crisis.

The global crisis has reached alarming levels, and consumption of plastic packaging continues to rise. According to the latest data, global plastic waste production is about 400 million tons per year. Of that number, 70 percent. goes to controlled landfills or is incinerated, only 10 percent. is recycled, and the remaining 20 percent. ends up in the environment, causing serious pollution.

Will the new regulations prove to be an effective solution that will make a real contribution to protecting our planet? Time will tell what the effects of their introduction will be. In the meantime, it is important for both consumers and producers to adapt to the new requirements, while promoting environmental awareness and the pursuit of sustainability.

Legal basis

The obligation to affix caps to plastic bottles is set forth in Directive (EU) 2019/904, also known as the Single-Use Plastics Directive ( SUP). The directive was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in June 2019. Its goal is to reduce the environmental impact of certain plastic products, particularly on the marine environment, and to promote a closed-loop economy.

One of the directive’s requirements is that, starting in July 2024, caps and screw caps on beverage bottles of up to 3 liters must remain attached to the containers throughout the product’s lifetime. This is to prevent them from getting lost and increase the chances of successfully recycling the entire package.

What the new regulations cover

The new regulations make an exception for caps and lids for larger containers, as well as metal caps, lids and caps, even if they contain a plastic seal. The regulations apply to various types of packaging, such as beverage bottles, milk cartons, multilayer plastic tubes and pouch packaging. However, not all of these packages need to have caps attached.

The obligation to affix caps applies only to containers containing liquids intended for direct consumption, such as water, juices, nectars, milk, dairy drinks and alcoholic beverages. Food products that are not intended for direct drinking, such as soups, yogurts (non-drinking), cream or fruit mousses, are not covered. The regulations also do not apply to liquids that are not consumed directly from the container or require dilution before consumption, such as vinegar, sauces, edible oils, syrups, concentrates, medicinal products, medical devices and foods for special medical purposes.

The problem of plastic waste in the waters

According to the North Sea Foundation, plastic caps are one of the top five deadliest ocean wastes, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems. Marine animals often swallow plastic nuts, leading to tragic consequences for their health and lives. The European Commission stresses that plastic caps are one of the most common wastes on European beaches. An analysis by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) shows that plastic waste accounts for more than 84 percent of the total. of all trash on beaches, of which single-use plastics, including caps, account for about 50 percent. all the pollution.

Bottle caps are typically made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). These materials, while durable and resistant to chemicals, can take hundreds of years to decompose. In natural environments, such as oceans and beaches, the process can take from 100 to as long as 500 years. The decomposing plastic breaks down into smaller and smaller fragments, called microplastics, which contaminate water and soil and enter the food chain of animals and eventually human bodies.

Attached caps: challenges for the industry

The beverage industry faces the challenge of adapting to new European Union regulations. This requires the modernization of production lines and the use of new technologies, which may entail additional costs. Many companies have already taken steps to meet the regulatory requirements, seeing them as an opportunity for innovation and sustainable growth. Businesses that fail to provide alternative packaging face the possibility of fines ranging from 500 to 20 thousand. PLN. It is worth noting that these regulations apply regardless of the size of the company, covering both large corporations and small local businesses.

Packages with unattached caps that have not been sold before July 1, 2024, can be sold until stocks run out, provided they were placed on the market before the law went into effect. A new obligation to restrict the use of single-use plastic also goes into effect today. Businesses operating retail, wholesale and food service units where beverages or food are packaged in plastic will have to provide consumers with alternative packaging made of biodegradable or reusable materials. Biodegradable plastic packaging cannot be an alternative.

The future of sustainable packaging

The regulations on tacked-on caps are just one element of the European Union’s broader strategy to promote a closed-loop economy. As part of these measures, the EU is targeting a reduction in the use of plastics, increased recycling and the introduction of more sustainable packaging materials. By 2025, PET bottles will be required to contain at least 25 percent. recycled material, and by 2030 this percentage will rise to 30 percent.