Finnish MEPs Call for a Fair Packaging Regulation: Balancing Sustainability with Industry Efficiency

The Finnish beverage industry hopes for a different outcome in the upcoming vote on the EU’s packaging waste regulation. The new regulation poses challenges for Finland’s bottle deposit system, which is one of the most efficient and innovative in the world.

The European Parliament is set to give final approval to this regulation, which requires that by 2030, ten percent of drinks should be sold in reusable packaging. However, certain beverages were granted exceptions in the negotiations, primarily affecting the brewing industry. The Finnish food industry believes this regulation will lead to significant costs and the need for two parallel bottle return systems.

MEP Elsi Katainen from the Center party believes that the demand for a parallel return system is unreasonable. She questions the need for a new system alongside Finland’s innovative bottle return system, which recycles drink packages on deposit as raw material and has high recycling rates. MEP Mauri Pekkarinen from the Center party plans to vote against the regulation, expressing concerns about punishing progressive operators.

Social Democrat Miapetra Kumpula-Natrin views the situation as a result of lobbying that came too late. She aims to reduce packaging waste, establish reuse targets, and limit single-use packaging through this regulation. Negotiators from the Parliament and Council reached an agreement in March, but several MEPs have differing views on its impact on Finland’s bottle deposit system.

Amidst these differing opinions, MEPs will carefully consider their votes on this packaging waste regulation. With high recycling rates and an innovative bottle return system, Finland may be eligible for an exception to this rule or executive guidance to resolve any potential issues with creating a parallel bottle return system.

Finland’s food and beverage industries are calling for more sustainable packaging solutions while maintaining their current successful bottle deposit systems. This article highlights how Finnish MEPs are working hard to address concerns about cardboard packaging while considering their votes on this important issue of reducing packaging waste in Europe.