The EU's Circular Economy Action Plan and its Impact on Packaging for Baked Goods

The European Commission adopted its Circular Economy Action Plan in 2020. This plan aims to ensure that all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. Now that we are at the halfway point of 2025, what changes are coming and how will this impact the packaging of baked goods?

As part of the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Commission is reviewing Directive 94/62/EC. This Directive reinforces the mandatory essential requirements for packaging to be allowed on the EU market with a focus on three particular areas. This article will explore those areas and the ways in which We Seal bag closures meet the requisite criteria:

reducing (over)packaging and packaging waste, including by setting targets and other waste prevention measures

We Seal bag closures address over-packaging by using 80% less raw material than rigid plastic tags. The knock-on effect of this lightweight solution makes a substantial environmental impact considering the hundreds of millions of packaged loaves produced around the world every day. We Seal have been committed to simplifying and reducing packaging for over 40 years.

driving design for re-use and recyclability of packaging, including considering restrictions on the use of some packaging materials for certain applications, in particular where alternative reusable products or systems are possible or consumer goods can be handled safely without packaging

The first bag closure company to think about the composition of the bread bag, We Seal manufacture closures from the same material (polypropylene) so that bag and closure can be recycled together. These bag closures also contain 30% recycled plastic without compromising their recyclability, and thanks to their resealability the closures can be re-used to keep the product fresh throughout its lifespan.

considering reducing the complexity of packaging materials, including the number of materials and polymers used

Twist ties and twin wire clips have had a large presence on supermarket shelves for many years, although the combination of metal and plastic has meant they could never be recycled. By using a mono-material approach with their polypropylene bag closures, We Seal have created a truly sustainable solution which perfectly aligns with the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan through simplifying the process of sorting and managing plastics correctly.

For more information on the EU 2030 Initiative and Circular Economy Action Plan, click here.

Old-fashioned metal/plastic combination clip bands are likely to be phased out in the near future, not only for recycling incompatibility but also due to the potential health hazards they present due to their sharp edges. Here’s everything you need to know about switching to a safer and more sustainable solution: