Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) 2018
The new PPWD (Directive (EU) 2018/852 of the European Parliament, amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste) was approved by the EU in July 2018 and sets new packaging recycling targets for all materials, the most challenging of which for Ireland is the plastic packaging recycling target of 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030.
The preferred waste management option, apart from reduction and reuse, is recycling, hence there are no recovery targets in the future.
PPWD: Material Recycled Targets
| Material: | Recycled % | Target Date |
| All Packaging Waste | 65% | 31 Dec 2025 |
| 70% | 31 Dec 2030 |
| Material Specific | Recycled % | Target Date |
| Glass | 70% | 31 Dec 2025 |
| 75% | 31 Dec 2030 | |
| Plastic | 50% | 31 Dec 2025 |
| 55% | 31 Dec 2030 | |
| Paper & Cardboard | 75% | 31 Dec 2025 |
| 85% | 31 Dec 2030 | |
| Metal | 70% | 31 Dec 2025 |
| 80% | 31 Dec 2030 | |
| Aluminium | 50% | 31 Dec 2025 |
| 60% | 31 Dec 2030 | |
| Wood | 25% | 31 Dec 2025 |
| 30% | 31 Dec 2030 |