With only 18 months to transition until the PPWR becomes mandatory on August 12. 2026, there’s pressure to ensure compliance. New regulations may seem complex and confusing. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

If you’re tempted to wait for clear instructions — don’t. Companies that start preparing for changes now will enjoy competitive advantages regarding sustainability, profitability, and attention, and won’t have to rush (or even worse: risk penalties) when it comes to the crunch.

We’ve prepared a list of things you CAN do, starting now:

Strategic steps

If you haven’t started preparing yet, there’s no reason to panic. Before you jump into the practicality of things, it makes sense to complete some basic steps.

Map your packaging materials

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Mapping your current packaging portfolio helps identify where change might be needed and where to focus R&D or supplier discussions. Key targets have already been published and the PPWR clearly identifies recyclable and reusable packaging as central solutions, which can help guide your efforts.

Start conversations about sustainable materials

Even if you don’t plan on making changes any time soon, engaging existing suppliers and contacting new ones early helps you understand what innovations and lead times they offer. This can help you understand the timeline (prototyping and trialling new packaging alternatives can take months), costs involved and gives you the advantage of securing sustainable materials before demand increases.

Acquire packaging data

Whether it’s for recyclability claims, reuse targets, or EPR reporting, data will be critical under the PPWR. Make sure to thoroughly complete the database of all your packaging materials. Openly communicate with partners about packaging specifications, such as composition, recyclability, and labelling status. Involve relevant teams (purchasing, logistics, product, sustainability etc.) to standardize packaging data capture. You can start with basic figures like weight, material, recyclability, supplier, and origin and expand from there.

Designate a responsible person

If you’re reading this article, likelihood is that you are responsible for ensuring compliance with the PPWR. If not, assigning this task to a team or single person will streamline effort and minimize confusion among employees. Make sure this person has the knowledge and skills to deal with your packaging and any changes that must be made. They should also be connected to a broad internal network, since packaging decisions often involve design, sustainability, purchasing, product management, innovation, and marketing.

Tactical steps

Once you’ve completed your basic preparation, you might feel confident to start making some changes. Besides preparing for compliance with regulations, these actions will make your entire packaging process more efficient, saving you resources, time and money.

Start small

Tackling your entire portfolio might feel too overwhelming in the beginning. Instead, start prototyping and trial your packaging changes on a niche product line or campaign. It builds internal experience, identifies pain points early, and creates a case study for wider rollout. It makes sense to start with products that have fewer supply chain constraints or simpler packaging needs.

Redesign your packaging

Redesigning your packaging can have multiple benefits for meeting regulations, connecting with consumers and efficiency. We have listed some questions that can guide your process.

Meet regulations

Key targets on recyclability and reusability have already been published. Find out:

✅ Is your packaging recyclable? If so, does it meet the highest recyclability standards? Consider whether the material streams can be separated, how much surface is printed and the quality of the ink. Bear in mind that composting (at home or industrially) is also a form of recycling, opening the door to biobased materials, such as carbon negative Myzel Verpackung.

✅ How can you design packaging that works better within existing recycling systems?

Connect with consumers

Packaging is an essential part of the customer experience, so think about:

✅ What are you trying to communicate with your packaging?

✅ Does it support your brand message?

✅ Does it align with your consumers’ expectations?

✅ How easy is it for your customer to unpack and dispose of or return your packaging?

Increase efficiency

Finally, smart packaging can save costs on all levels, including materials costs, transport and storage costs, and lower EPR fees. Ask the following questions:

✅ Can we use less material? How much material can we remove before its protective function is lost?

✅ Is our packaging taking up more space than it needs to in storage and transit? Can we remove empty space?

✅ Could a redesign help speed up the packing and unpacking process?

Consider your company’s sustainability goals

✅ What sustainability targets do you need to reach and when?

Look into reuse

Reusing is the first step to extending a packaging’s lifecycle. Through pick-up or return systems, packaging can be used multiple times, thus limiting the amount of packaging produced and removing the burden of disposal from end-consumers. Explore collaborations across the supply chain to set up reuse systems and secure the appropriate infrastructure to handle these changes.

Consider recyclability (including composting)

Recyclability and composting are key factors in closing the loop. As you make changes, always question how your packaging will be handled at its end of life. Which type of recycling can it undergo? Does it meet recycling standards? Can it be recycled in a variety of regions or markets?

If you’re looking for a truly sustainable packaging and compliant solution, consider bio-based packaging that can be returned to the earth, such as compostable Mycelium Packaging.