PPWR – EU Packaging Regulation (EU) 2025/40: Sustainable Transport Packaging at the RATHGEBER Group
Overview of Sustainability, Material Composition, Recycling, and Reuse of Our Shipping Packaging
Packaging Components: Materials, Recycled Content, and Recycling Pathways
Packaging Component |
Material |
Recycled Content |
Disposal / Recycling Method |
Recommendation for Reuse |
| Individual packaging | PE (polyethylene) | Complies with legal requirements | Plastic recycling (yellow bin, yellow bag, recycling center) | Ideal as a protective bag for small parts during internal relocation or storage; reusable |
| Shipping cartons | Cardboard / Corrugated cardboard | Meets legal requirements | Waste paper / paper recycling | Reusable as shipping or storage boxes within your facility |
| Packaging tape | Paper | Meets legal requirements | Waste paper / Paper recycling | - |
| Strapping | PE (polyethylene) | Meets legal requirements | Plastic recycling (yellow bin, yellow bag, recycling center) | Example: Use to secure internal bundles of goods |
| Padding material (paper) | Paper | Meets legal requirements | Waste paper / paper recycling | Excellent as packing material for your own outgoing shipments. |
| Cushioning material (air cushions) | PE (polyethylene) | Meets legal requirements | Plastic recycling (yellow bin, yellow bag, recycling center) | Air cushions can easily be reused multiple times for internal cushioning. |
| Pallet stretch film | PE (LDPE) | Meets legal requirements | Plastic recycling (yellow bin, yellow bag, recycling center) | Example: Use as a temporary protective layer against dust/moisture during temporary storage. |
| Shipping pallet | Wood (Euro pallet) | Complies with legal requirements | Wood recycling / pallet pool | Standard reuse within the logistics network or return to the EPAL cycle. |
| ESD shielding bag | PE (polyethylene) / aluminum composite | The packaging described meets the requirements of Art. 7 PPWR regarding minimum recycled content in plastic packaging (through December 31, 2029) | Metallized shielding bags: Contain a thin layer of aluminum as a composite film. These interfere with pure PE recycling and must usually be disposed of via general waste or special commercial composite material collection programs. | ESD shielding bags can generally be reused, provided they are undamaged, clean, and equipped with a functional closure (such as a zipper). However, they lose their protective effect when heavily worn. Bags that are heat-sealed once must be cut open and are no longer suitable for safe storage afterward; only bags with a pressure-seal closure are suitable for this purpose. Creases, porous areas, or abrasion on the metallization reduce conductivity and protective performance after repeated use. |
| ESD cushioning material (PE foam) | LDPE (polyethylene) | Complies with legal requirements | Plastic recycling (yellow bin, yellow bag, recycling center) | ESD cushioning material can be reused multiple times for internal cushioning without any problems. |
| ESD cushioning material (air cushion bags and film) | LDPE (polyethylene) | Complies with legal requirements | Plastic recycling (yellow bin, yellow bag, recycling center) | ESD cushioning material can be reused multiple times for internal cushioning without any problems. |
| Carrier label | Paper | Complies with legal requirements | Waste paper / Paper recycling | - |
Additional Information on PPWR-Compliant Circular Economy
Our goal: The RATHGEBER Group continuously optimizes the recycling rates of our transport packaging and proactively supports the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)—for resource-efficient packaging solutions and greater transparency throughout the supply chain.
Circular Economy: Please keep packaging components in circulation for as long as possible. Bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, and pallets are particularly well-suited for reuse, internal relocation, and secure storage.
Material Separation: To ensure high-quality recycling, we recommend properly separating materials—for example, by removing plastic straps from cardboard boxes before disposal.