EXPRA Summer Newsletter 2026
Introduction by the managing director
Introduction
With the PPWR now applying and key consultations underway, this edition explores the practical policy, implementation and member-led developments shaping packaging EPR in Europe and beyond.
EXPRA news
EXPRA Publishes Its 2026 Overview of Packaging EPR Compliance Contributions
EXCERPT EXPRA’s new Compliance Contributions report compares packaging EPR fees and tariff structures across 38 system profiles in 35 countries, helping producers and policymakers understand how national systems finance collection, sorting and recycling.
EXPRA Calls for Pragmatic Digitalisation to Facilitate EPR Compliance
EXPRA has published recommendations on how digitalisation can facilitate Extended Producer Responsibility compliance in the framework of the future Circular Economy Act. The Alliance supports practical solutions that reduce duplication for companies reporting in several Member States and give producers easier access to reliable information on national obligations.
Closing the Accountability Gap in E-commerce
EXPRA has joined 88 organisations in calling for every product sold to EU consumers to have an identifiable economic operator established in the EU or EEA and accountable for product, packaging and EPR obligations.
EXPRA featured in Packaging Europe: Strengthening EPR implementation for Europe’s circular economy
Packaging Europe has published a new article featuring EXPRA’s perspective on how Extended Producer Responsibility should be strengthened through the upcoming Circular Economy Act.
Drawing on more than three decades of operational experience across EXPRA’s membership, Managing Director Joachim Quoden explains why the priority should be to reinforce the existing EPR framework rather than fundamentally redesign it.
Upcoming events
Upcoming Events
From Québec to Copenhagen, EXPRA’s autumn calendar brings members and partners together around packaging EPR implementation, recycling innovation, reuse and circular economy policy.
News updates
PPWR Enters into Application: Focus Turns to Practical Implementation
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation has generally applied since 12 August 2026. The Commission’s updated FAQ provides new guidance on key concepts, while significant implementing work remains ahead.
Commission Consults on Key PPWR Recycling Rules
Three new Commission calls for evidence address recycled-content calculation, the use of imported recycled materials and sustainability criteria for plastic recycling technologies. Feedback is open until 11 September 2026.
Polluter Pays Principle: A Timely Signal for Effective EPR
The Commission’s Fitness Check of the Polluter Pays Principle recognises EPR as an important instrument, while highlighting gaps in implementation, cross-border enforcement and online compliance.
Municipal Waste Incineration Proposed for Phased Inclusion in the EU ETS
The European Commission has proposed the gradual inclusion of municipal waste incineration in the EU Emissions Trading System from 2031 to 2034. The proposal could affect the cost of treating residual packaging waste and has important implications for municipalities, producers and EPR systems.
News from members
Fost Plus: Investing in Local Recycling Capacity Pays Off
Belgium has opened six new recycling plants in five years, demonstrating how long-term contracts and guaranteed material volumes can create the confidence needed to invest in domestic recycling capacity for post-consumer packaging.
Citeo: Shared Reuse System Expands Across Four French Regions
Citeo’s ReUse initiative is testing a shared and optimised reuse loop for food packaging across Brittany, Normandy, Pays de la Loire and Hauts-de-France, bringing together brands, retailers, service providers and consumers.
Ecovidrio Reports Strong Glass Recycling Performance and Greater Transparency
Ecovidrio’s 2025 Sustainability Report records an estimated 72.3% glass-packaging recycling rate in Spain, alongside new tools designed to improve municipal data access, traceability and operational transparency.
Circular Materials Opens Advanced Recycling Facility in Ontario
A new advanced recycling facility in Cambridge, Ontario, will process up to 160,000 tonnes of material each year, supporting the province’s producer-funded Blue Box system through automated sorting technology and increased local capacity
CONAI: Italy Recycled More Than 77% of Its Packaging in 2025
CONAI reports that Italy recycled 10.97 million tonnes of packaging in 2025, equal to 77.3% of packaging placed on the market, while strengthening support for municipal collection and reuse.
VANA (Denmark) Joins InFACT to Build a Circular Pathway for Flexible Plastic Packaging
VANA has joined the InFACT project, bringing together 16 partners to demonstrate how household flexible plastic packaging can be collected, recycled and returned to high-quality packaging applications.
Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia Launches National Drive to Scale Soft-Plastics Recycling
Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia has launched a three-month community challenge to increase returns of household soft plastics and supply Australia’s growing domestic recycling infrastructure.
