New EU Rules on Recycling Content in PET Bottles

Overview The European Commission has adopted new rules establishing, for the first time, a methodology to calculate, verify, and report chemically recycled content in single-use PET (polyethylene terephthalate) beverage bottles. This is part of the Commission’s December 2025 plastics package.

Purpose The rules aim to ensure transparency in calculating recycled content in new PET bottles, creating a level playing field and investment security for the recycling sector. They apply to any recycling technology—chemical or mechanical—and will help Member States meet recycled-content targets under the Single-Use Plastics Directive.

Mechanical vs. Chemical Recycling

  • Mechanical recycling is currently the dominant method, involving sorting, cleaning, shredding, and remolding plastics into new products.
  • Chemical recycling complements mechanical recycling for waste streams that are hard to recycle mechanically (e.g., plastics with food residue, additives, or mixed materials). It breaks plastics into smaller molecules that can be reused as feedstock for new plastics or chemicals, enabling high-quality applications like food-contact packaging.

Geographic Scope and Phasing

  • Phase 1: Only recycled material from the EU and EEA countries counts, since compliance with EU environmental rules can be fully verified there.
  • From 21 November 2027: Recycled plastic from OECD countries will also count, unless excluded under the Waste Shipment Regulation.
  • Non-OECD countries: Material will count if covered by arrangements ensuring equivalent human health and environmental protection standards (e.g., under the Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation).

Verification Standard Recycled content counted toward EU targets must meet credible, traceable, and environmentally sound standards.

Next Steps The Implementing Act will soon be published in the Official Journal and will enter into force 20 days after publication.

Background

  • The Commission consulted stakeholders while preparing the Implementing Act.
  • Member States’ representatives voted in favor of the proposal at the Waste Technical Adaptation Committee meeting in February 2026.
  • The measure was also notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO), allowing member states to submit comments.

https://www.miragenews.com/eu-clarifies-plastic-bottle-recycling-rules-1701832

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