As of 12 August 2026, the EU Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR) will enter into force, introducing new requirements for recycling, reuse, and packaging design. The changes are expected to have a significant impact on businesses, requiring technological transformation and substantial investments.

The new regulation sets ambitious targets for reducing packaging waste and introduces a range of restrictions on single-use plastic products. These include bans on mini cosmetic packaging in hotels, single-use sachets in restaurants, as well as very lightweight plastic carrier bags. At the same time, requirements are introduced to minimize packaging and promote reusable systems.

A key element of the new rules is the concept of “design for recycling,” which obliges manufacturers by 2030 to ensure that all packaging can be recycled in an economically viable way. In practice, this means a transition to mono-materials and a gradual phase-out of multi-layer solutions.

According to Tsvetanka Todorova, Chair of the Board of the Bulgarian Plastics Association (BAP), the impact on the industry will be substantial:

“The main impact of the regulation on businesses lies in the complete redesign of products and increased financial costs for compliance. Companies must urgently invest in research and development to replace complex multi-layer plastics (which are difficult to recycle) with mono-materials. This means enormous investments in R&D.”

Beyond technological challenges, the industry will also face rising raw material costs. Demand for high-quality recycled material—especially food-grade certified—already exceeds supply, leading to significant price increases.

“Its price is also rising due to high production costs, primarily electricity prices, and the requirement that recycled material must come from post-consumer waste rather than industrial waste. This results in further increases in raw material costs,” she adds.

Currently, according to BAP data, PET is the only material that is recycled in large volumes in an economically viable way, which highlights the need for new solutions:

“This is forcing the polymer industry to invest billions in new chemical recycling technologies,” Мs. Todorova notes. Additional pressure on companies will come from the changes to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, where fees will be linked to the environmental performance of packaging. “Producers of hard-to-recycle packaging will pay significantly higher environmental fees. If a plastic package does not contain the required amount of recycled material or is difficult to sort, the cost of placing it on the market may become prohibitive. This will drive structural changes in business models.”

Many manufacturers will need to shift from single-use packaging to reusable solutions and invest in alternative materials: “Biopolymers, for example, are two to three times more expensive than conventional polymers. This will inevitably lead to higher packaging costs and, ultimately, affect consumers.”

Alongside the economic implications, the regulation also introduces new requirements for labeling, recycled content, and restrictions on hazardous substances such as PFAS in food-contact packaging.

The successful implementation of the new rules will require coordinated efforts between industry and public institutions, including the development of the necessary infrastructure for testing and recycling within the country.

An expert team of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), in cooperation with sectoral and regional partners, has published new labour market analyses, with a focus on the strategic sector “Manufacture of plastic products”.

The analyses were developed within the project “Together for Sustainable Employment”, funded under the Human Resources Development Programme, and cover six economic sectors and five regions – Burgas, Vratsa, Dobrich, Smolyan and Shumen. Their objective is to support the development of evidence-based policies and positions on employment, industrial relations, digitalisation and the green transition.

The analysis for the “Manufacture of plastic products” sector was prepared with the support of the Bulgarian Plastics Association (BAP), which actively contributed to presenting the industry’s perspective and identifying the key challenges faced by companies.

The “Manufacture of plastic products” sector (NACE Rev.2, group 22.2) stands out for its structural importance to the Bulgarian economy. It accounts for approximately 4.4% of manufacturing output and around 1.5% of the total production of all non-financial enterprises. Plastic products are widely used across industries – from packaging in the food and pharmaceutical sectors to components for automotive, electronics, construction, agriculture and energy, making the sector a key supplier within value chains.

According to the National Statistical Institute, 1,432 enterprises operated in the sector as of 2023, representing a decrease of nearly 10% compared to 2019. Large companies remain stable and continue to invest, while small and medium-sized enterprises face increasing pressure from energy costs, raw material prices and regulatory uncertainty related to EU requirements on packaging and the circular economy. Despite the sector’s development, the trade balance remains negative – imports reached EUR 2.08 billion compared to exports of EUR 1.38 billion in 2024.

At the same time, the sector demonstrates steady economic growth. The value of production increased by around 30% over the period 2019–2023, while value added rose by 42%. Investments have also grown, with spending on tangible fixed assets increasing by around 30% and foreign direct investment by 40%, primarily directed towards automation, robotics and the implementation of green technologies.

However, the labour market remains a key challenge. Although the average monthly wage in the sector increased by around 50% (from approximately BGN 1,020 in 2019 to BGN 1,530 in 2023), it remains at about 78% of the average for the real sector. This, combined with the production-oriented nature of the activities, reduces the sector’s attractiveness to young people and deepens the labour shortage.

The analyses also highlight a broader trend of workforce ageing. Data for the period 2020–2024 show an increasing share of employees aged 55+ and a declining number of young workers, indicating a risk to the sector’s future workforce sustainability. The replacement ratio points to a potential labour shortage in the medium term.

A significant contribution to the research comes from empirical interviews with business representatives – managers, owners and HR specialists. These findings point to labour shortages as the result of long-standing mismatches between education, economic needs and the social environment, and underline the need for closer cooperation between industry and the education system.

The full text of the analysis for the “Manufacture of plastic products” sector is available HERE.

Sixteen business and consumer organizations, including BAP, have issued an open letter regarding the lack of transparency in the extended producer responsibility systems and the introduction of a deposit system for beverage packaging.

The letter emphasizes that the accumulated problems in the system are leading to a significant and inevitable increase in prices for consumers, as well as additional inflationary pressure.

The signatories of the letter call on the caretaker government, including the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth to take urgent anti-crisis measures.

See more here: https://bia-bg.com/news/view/35496/

The Commission’s decision to introduce a derogation for pallet wrappings and strapsfrom the 100% reuse targets set out in Article 29(2) and (3) of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) represents a welcome recognition of the operational challenges consistently raised by the European packaging value chain throughout the legislative process. By acknowledging these practical constraints, the Commission affirms the evidence provided by businesses across sectors, demonstrating that these packaging formats are not suitable for reuse and that, to date, no proven reusable alternatives exist at scale that can guarantee an equivalent level of load stability, product protection, transport safety, and operational reliability. Therefore, the decision to restrict this derogation exclusively to the 100% target, leaving the 40% reuse target of Article 29(1) untouched, is both inconsistent and disappointing.

Maintaining the 40% reuse target under Article 29(1) for these very same formats effectively reintroduces the same concerns regarding feasibility, safety and functionality that were acknowledged in the context of the 100% reuse targets. These challenges arise wherever palletised goods require reliable load securing during transport, storage, and handling. Pallet wrapping films must be cut upon receipt at which point they immediately lose their structural integrity and functional capacity. Similarly, pallet straps are engineered for single-use stabilisation and cannot reliably maintain performance once removed. In many industrial logistics applications, pallets carry very high loads, undergo multiple handling operations, travel long distances, and must meet strict safety requirements. In such contexts, even minor reductions in load-securing performance can create unacceptable risks for workers, compromise product integrity, and endanger transport infrastructure. These challenges are widespread and affect numerous sectors and critical European value chains.

EU Leaders have committed to simplification, enhanced competitiveness, and a regulatory framework that reinforces its industrial base. Granting a targeted exemption from the 40% reuse target for specific transport packaging formats, prioritising recyclability or recycled content where reuse istechnically unsuitable, is essential to delivering on these commitments in a coherent and practical manner.

A fragmented approach would lead to a framework that is difficult to apply consistently, raises questions around legal certainty and proportionality, and creates real implementation challenges for companies. We therefore call on the Commission to prioritise the swift adoption of a delegated act exempting pallet wrappings and straps, as well as comparable transport packaging solutions, from the 40% reuse target under Article 29(1), in accordance with Article 29(18)(a) to (c). This is a necessary step to ensure that the PPWR remains workable, proportionate, and fit for purpose.

A new test by consumer organisations in four countries¹ found chemicals of concern in single-use tableware made of popular non-plastic alternatives, such as disposable plant fibre bowls, paper straws, or palm leaf plates. Several products were also found to mislead consumers with unsubstantiated green claims. BEUC and its member organisations urge the EU to ensure that single-use plastic alternatives are safe and do not mislead consumers.

In total, over half of sampled products contained one or more unwanted chemicals above recommended levels (53%), including some that are suspected to cause cancer. Additional 21% contained these chemicals close to the limits. With many single-use plastic items about to be banned in the EU (as of 3 July 2021),² manufacturers and consumers are increasingly turning to alternatives made of bamboo, paper, or palm leaves. Unlike plastics, the safety of these materials is unregulated in the EU as no specific rules exist.

The findings also indicate that the alleged green credentials of popular plastic alternatives may mislead consumers: several sampled products claim to be compostable or biodegradable. Yet, the test found that many contain ‘forever’ chemicals that may not fully degrade in nature for hundreds of years, migrating into the environment and accumulating in soil, water and living organisms.

Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, commented:

“With single-use plastic plates and cups soon to be a thing of the past, plant-based and paper alternatives are naturally gaining popularity among consumers. It is wonderful that the EU is finally weeding out throwaway plastic, but it must equally weed out toxic chemicals in the alternatives.

“The fact that many plastic alternatives are loaded with ‘forever’ chemicals sadly shows that one persistent pollutant is being replaced with another. The results we publish today prove that current EU food packaging rules fail consumers. It is high time the EU get its act together and comes up with strict food packaging rules that both protect consumers and the environment.

“Green labels such as ‘natural’, ‘biodegradable’, or ‘compostable’ have no place on single-use dinnerware that contain persistent chemicals. Such bogus claims create confusion among consumers and make it difficult for them to identify the plates, straws or bowls that are more environmentally friendly than others. The EU needs to clean up the food packaging market from all misleading green claims.”

Test details:

The survey sampled:

• 57 items, such as disposable bowls made from straw or bagasse (i.e., fibres from sugarcane stalks), paper straws, and palm leaf tableware.

• Three categories of items: 23 bowls and plates made from moulded natural fibres, mainly bagasse; 18 paper straws; and 16 palm leaf bowls and plates.

• Certain groups of chemicals and pesticides:
  • Fluorinated compounds (PFAS), also called ‘forever’ chemicals because they persist in nature. PFAS are widely used to make food packaging and other consumer products water-, grease- and/or stain-resistant. PFAS are linked to cancers, IQ loss, and other severe health effects.
  • Chloropropanols may emerge during the manufacture of paper packaging; they have cancer-causing properties.
  • Pesticides may be present in plant-based food contact items either as residues of the pesticides used to grow sugarcane, palm trees and other natural materials or from processing the raw material. Exposure to certain pesticides is linked to cancers, birth defects, and endocrine disruption, among others.

Access the complete test results here.

On June 19–20, 2025, the final transnational partner meeting of The Green Opportunity – GO Project took place in Sofia, marking the official conclusion of this inspiring European journey. For the last time, we gathered – partners, allies, and friends – to share results, reflect on what we’ve achieved, and celebrate the powerful impact we created as a team.

The project went through key phases – from the seed of an idea, through intense development and collaboration, to tangible outcomes that are already inspiring sustainable practices in the circular economy. The GO Project successfully delivered innovative educational resources, practical tools, and new opportunities for young people, trainers, and entrepreneurs focused on the green transition.

We are proud of what we’ve achieved – not only of the final results, but of the journey we shared: the trust, teamwork, and a common vision for a more sustainable future.

A heartfelt thank you to all our partners who contributed their energy, expertise, and inspiration!

May was a month of inspiration and sharing! Throughout May, we held our dissemination events to present the results of the GO Project – Redesign the Future, proudly showcasing the educational videos and the practical toolkit created to inspire young people toward a more sustainable future.

We met with partners, friends, youth workers, business representatives, academics, and NGO members to share ideas and explore the possibilities of the circular economy.

Sofia:

• 20 May 2025 – event organized by BAP, with participants from business and academia
• 30 May 2025 – event organized by Get Involved, with youth workers and NGO representatives

Greece:

• 28 May 2025

Croatia:

• 26 May 2025

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and supported our vision for a greener and more conscious future!

As part of our Green Opportunity project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, in early October we held another workshop to exchange good practices in beautiful Zagreb, Croatia! We were joined by incredible partners from Bulgaria (Association “Get Involved”), Greece (Liofyllo) and Croatia (More Coaching).

This meeting was dedicated to EU practices and requirements for textile sustainability. During the meeting, we engaged in discussions on water pollutants and how to effectively address them, as well as an overview of EU regulations for a cleaner future.

During the event, BAP participants met with representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Zagreb.

But we did not stop there! On the last day, our team rolled up their sleeves and took action, cleaning up the Sava River together!

A huge thank you to everyone involved for their hard work and dedication! Together we are making a difference!

At the beginning of July, we held a workshop as part of the “Green Opportunity” project, co-financed by the Erasmus+ program. The meeting was attended by partners from Bulgaria – the Branch Association Polymers and the association “Get Involved” from Greece – Liofyllo, and from Croatia – More Coaching, as well as youth workers and volunteers.

The main goal of the workshop was for each country to share good practices related to the circular economy. The partners presented interesting and innovative practices, initiatives, and enterprises that promote sustainability and green thinking.

Together, we visited the interactive educational center for the separate collection of packaging waste by ECOPACK Bulgaria. The center’s aim is to educate children and young people about the benefits of waste separation and recycling, as well as the importance of this activity for protecting the environment from contemporary threats.

The center is part of a complex that houses ECOPACK Bulgaria’s most modern facility, specialized in sorting packaging waste made of paper, plastic, and aluminum, which we also explored with great interest.