Recycling · ROLL Lab

PPWR and core recycling: what is needed from 2030

ROLL Lab · updated 24 October 2026 · sources at the end of the page

In shortThe PPWR, applicable from 12 August 2026, lists rolls, tubes and cylinders carrying wound flexible material as packaging. From 2030, all packaging must be recyclable to class A, B or C; from 2038, at least B. Plastic also needs 35% post-consumer recycled content.

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♻️ Where your core goes at end of life

The recycled content percentages apply to “other plastic packaging” (Art. 7(1)(d)) and only post-consumer plastic counts. Core reuse has no mandatory targets today (Art. 29).

In Europe, paper is recycled at about twice the rate of plastic. Paper has already reached the PPWR 2030 target (85%); plastic is below the 2025 one (50%). Source: Eurostat env_waspac, estimated EU values.

The rules that matter at end of life

Topic	Article	What it says
Cores as packaging	Annex I	rolls, tubes and cylinders with wound flexible material, except machinery parts that do not present the product
Recyclability	Art. 6, Annex II	designed for recycling from 2030; classes A ≥ 95%, B ≥ 80%, C ≥ 70%; below 70% not recyclable; class C no longer allowed from 2038; “recycled at scale” from 2035
Recycled content (plastic)	Art. 7	35% from 2030, 65% from 2040 for “other plastic packaging”
Labelling	Art. 12	harmonised composition label from 12 August 2028
Producer responsibility	Art. 45	EPR mandatory for industrial packaging too
Recycling targets	Art. 52	by 2030: paper 85%, plastic 55%

What it means for a paper core

A single-material core (spiral-wound board and adhesive) starts in a good position for the top classes. The criteria for each category will come with delegated acts. Plugs or end caps that cannot be separated, plastic or wax coatings and leftover film all pull it down.

What it means for a plastic core

Two obligations at once: recyclability and 35% post-consumer recycled content from 2030. PVC must be collected separately, because it contaminates other streams. The issues for plastic cores.

The PPWR covers packaging placed on the EU market. Summary based on the text of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on EUR-Lex; recyclability criteria by category will come with delegated acts. Not legal advice.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the PPWR require on core recyclability?

From 2030, all packaging must be designed for recycling and fall into class A (≥ 95%), B (≥ 80%) or C (≥ 70%); from 2038, class C is no longer enough. From 2035 it must also be recycled at scale.

Sources

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), EUR-Lex
Eurostat env_waspac (21 October 2026)
CONAI circular on tubes and rolls (27 June 2013, Italy)
Italian Legislative Decree 152/2006
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