Finnish MEPs Torn Apart Over Packaging Waste Regulation and its Impact on Bottle Return System

Finnish MEPs are divided on the EU’s packaging waste regulation, with some expressing concerns about its potential impact on Finland’s innovative bottle return system. The new regulation requires that by 2030, ten percent of drinks should be sold in reusable packaging, primarily affecting the brewing industry. The Finnish food industry believes this will lead to significant costs and the need for two parallel bottle return systems.

MEP Elsi Katainen from the Center party believes that the demand for a parallel return system is unreasonable. She questions the need for a new system alongside Finland’s existing deposit system, which recycles drink packages as raw material. Meanwhile, MEP Mauri Pekkarinen from the Center party plans to vote against the regulation, expressing concerns about punishing progressive operators.

Social Democrat Miapetra Kumpula-Natri views the situation as a result of lobbying that came too late. She believes that negotiators from the Parliament and Council reached an agreement in March without fully understanding the implications of the regulation on Finland’s bottle deposit system. However, she hopes that executive guidance could potentially resolve any issues with creating a parallel bottle return system.

Amidst differing opinions, Finnish MEPs will have to carefully consider their votes on the packaging waste regulation. While some are concerned about its potential impact on their country’s existing deposit system, others see it as a step towards more sustainable packaging overall. With high recycling rates and a strong commitment to sustainability, Finland may be eligible for an exception to the regulation if they can convince negotiators of their case for not implementing two parallel bottle return systems.