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In August 2026, the new Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste by the European Parliament and the Council will come into force. It sets restrictions on the volume of packaging and the harmful substances contained within it, as well as specific requirements for recyclability, labeling, and reuse of packaging. This will significantly impact every stage of the packaging life cycle – from manufacturer and retailer to the end consumer. These and other upcoming changes, including the adaptation of Latvia’s national regulations, were discussed at the annual seminar "Sustainable Packaging 2025," organized by “Latvijas Zaļais punkts” in cooperation with the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) and the Latvian Packaging Association.

Rudīte Vesere, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Policy at the Ministry of Climate and Energy, highlighted the main requirements of the regulation and their transposition into national legislation during the seminar:

"The Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste is more than just a new legal framework – it represents a fundamental value shift throughout the supply chain, placing sustainability, responsibility, and transparency at the center of decision-making. The goal is not simply to impose restrictions but to create a unified and clear system for all parties. Labeling, material requirements, packaging volumes, and reuse all share a common goal – empowering consumers to make informed and thoughtful choices while encouraging manufacturers to implement innovative and smart solutions.”

Tax on Non-Recyclable Plastic to Accelerate the Move Toward Sustainable Packaging

Alongside the new regulation, EU requirements regarding the reduction of waste landfilling and the recycling of waste have been in force for several years. By 2035, only 10% of municipal waste may be landfilled, and at least 65% must be recycled. To encourage the recycling of plastic packaging and the selection of recyclable plastic, Latvia introduced a natural resource tax on non-recyclable plastic packaging from July 1, 2024:

• €0.80/kg for recyclable but unrecycled packaging or for packaging that was recovered but is non-recyclable,

• €1.25/kg for packaging that cannot be recycled and was not recovered.

Kaspars Zakulis, Director of “Latvijas Zaļais punkts,” emphasizes that these changes create a fair, future-oriented system that promotes the use of environmentally friendly materials and advances the transition to a circular economy:

"In Latvia, producer responsibility systems are actively implementing processes to meet the country’s set recycling and recovery targets for used packaging. Following changes to the Natural Resources Tax Law, effective since last year, they have also taken responsibility for administering the tax on the non-recycled polymer portion of packaging. Looking ahead, the new European packaging regulation points towards an even faster transition to recyclable and reusable – that is, sustainable – packaging."

Current Challenges and Science-Based Solutions

A study conducted by LBTU within the EU LIFE project* framework, analyzing over 3000 packaging types, shows that in 11.24% of cases, the packaging volume is excessive, and in 22% of cases, there is no information about the material type. This reduces recycling opportunities and forces companies to seek new solutions for transitioning to more sustainable packaging.

Sandra Muižniece-Brasava from LBTU noted at the seminar that entrepreneurs are increasingly aware of the need for change, but the transition to environmentally friendly packaging is not straightforward:

"Packaging material and design affect product shelf life, transportation, and other factors. For example, switching from polystyrene, which is unsuitable for recycling, to polypropylene, a more eco-friendly and recyclable material, significantly changes product storage parameters. In this case, it shortens the shelf life, which poses challenges for businesses. This highlights the growing importance of science, enabling manufacturers to find packaging solutions that are sustainable, economically viable, and acceptable to all parties."

Kristīne Geidāne, Quality Manager at “Nordic Plast”, stresses that the main challenges in recycling are multilayer or composite materials, as well as packaging with large printed or glued areas or packaging covered with non-recyclable labels:

"Our experience shows that even if a product manufacturer receives a distributor's confirmation that the packaging is recyclable, laboratory testing often reveals otherwise – for example, the material may turn out to be multilayered or differ from the stated type. This is why the polymer material testing laboratory created by 'Nordic Plast' and 'Latvijas Zaļais punkts' within the EU LIFE project is becoming a vital tool, helping to objectively assess the recyclability of packaging without relying solely on theoretical assumptions," says Geidāne.

The seminar also highlighted the need to develop sorting and recycling infrastructure, adapt technologies to low-quality materials, improve information provided on packaging, and promote a shift in thinking among both consumers and manufacturers. At the same time, Latvia’s opportunity to become a regional leader in science- and practice-based change was emphasized.

The “Sustainable Packaging 2025” seminar is organized to foster dialogue with industry representatives and retailers, thereby promoting understanding of current and upcoming requirements regarding packaging management in Latvia. This year, participants included representatives from the Ministry of Climate and Energy, “Latvijas Zaļais punkts,” the Latvian Packaging Association, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, SIA “Eco Baltia vide,” among others.