The Ready‑Meal Box That Became a Regulation
· 3 min read
It is 19:30, you are tired, and the supermarket shelf offers mercy in a plastic tray. The meal promises convenience and a clean conscience — “recyclable,” “eco,” “lightweight.” But in Europe, that promise has stopped being a marketing flourish. It is now a regulatory target.
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation entered into force in February 2025 and will apply from 12 August 2026. The headlines focus on bans and targets, but the quiet message is sharper: packaging is no longer just a wrapper — it is a measurable liability.