FEFCO publication: FACTSHEET ON RECYCLABILITY CORRUGATED CARDBOARD PACKAGING
The upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is set to significantly reshape the
European packaging landscape by establishing harmonized rules across the EU to reduce waste, improve
resource efficiency, and foster a circular economy. A key focus of the regulation is ensuring that all
packaging placed on the market is recyclable supported by clearer design for recycling requirements and
standardized testing methods.
PPWR will introduce strict recyclability criteria, requiring packaging to be designed so that materials can
be effectively collected, sorted and recycled. This includes mandatory design for recycling guidelines and
recyclability performance grades that will influence market access. Testing procedures will also become
harmonised at EU level, ensuring consistency and reliability across Member States. Companies will need to demonstrate recyclability compliance, which will not only increase transparency but also drive innovation in packaging design and material choice.
FEFCO has prepared a publication that provides an overview of the different recycling methods of corrugated board packaging. Based on technical and operational studies, the aim is to demonstrate that corrugated cardboard packaging can be recycled by existing recycling schemes and by design. This document should be linked to the FEFCO design for recycling guidelines.
This document is currently version 1.1 (October 2025), and is based on external studies requested by FEFCO:
- Sorting performance of corrugated packaging in Europe – RecycleMe (2025)
- Test report RAP-20251143 for FEFCO – Celabor (2025)
- Test of recyclability No 25.0225 for FEFCO – CTP (2025)
- CEPI-report_PMV-25-099 for FEFCO – TU Darmstadt (2025)
The publication is available here: FACTSHEET ON RECYCLABILITY CORRUGATED CARDBOARD PACKAGING
