65 NOTICIAS I NEWS fresh products. “Currently, the recyclability of this packaging is not yet resolved, ” says García. He also points out that alternatives based on single-material plastics do not always offer the same performance. Pilar Arrayás agrees that large-scale recyclability remains a challenge. The goal, she explains, is for packaging to be managed in the area where it is generated as waste: “It’s not very useful to use innovative, compostable packaging or materials, for example, if we don’t have composting facilities near where the waste is generated.” Added to this is the availability of recycled raw materials. Isabel Leal warns that “this type of material is lacking on the market; it’s not easy to acquire, we don’t have it, and we face these limitations in compliance.” Josu García adds: “There is a shortage of recycled raw materials. In fact, the Royal Decree in Spain already requires us to incorporate recycled material, but this isn’t possible for many packages, and it also conflicts with food safety legislation.” He also points to technological and economic limitations: “In many cases, recycled material is more expensive than virgin material.” Other considerations In this context, single-material design is gaining prominence. Isabel Leal believes that “it will be much easier to manage and recycle.” However, Josu García points out that composite materials often address specific technical needs, and the challenge now lies in developing teams capable of working with these new solutions. Reuse is another key aspect of the regulation. According to Isabel Leal, the regulation establishes three fundamental principles: “prevention, reuse, and recycling.” The transformation will also extend to labeling. Pilar Arrayás believes that including certain information “will help end users understand the characteristics of the packaging containing the product.” Isabel Leal also highlights the potential of digital tools: “I think it would be a way to complement labeling, providing the necessary information for both consumers and users to know what to do with the packaging once it becomes waste.” This entire process will also have an economic dimension. For Josu García, “in the short term, it generally seems that it will lead to increased costs for packaging companies.” However, she believes the main difficulties will not necessarily be financial, but rather technical and operational. The sector’s adaptation is therefore taking place in a context of uncertainty. Given this scenario, Pilar Arrayás considers support and education essential: “We at SCRAPS have taken on this task to help companies understand their obligations, although there is still a long way to go.” The implementation of the PPWR thus represents a progressive transformation process that affects the entire value chain: from the design and manufacture of packaging to its collection, sorting, recycling, and reuse. The industry’s ability to adapt materials, technologies, and management systems will be crucial to progressing toward the objectives set by the PPWR, which began to be implemented on August 12, 2026, although many of the obligations, including those related to recyclability and recycled content, will not apply until 2030. La aplicación de la PPWR supone así un proceso progresivo de transformación que afecta al conjunto de la cadena de valor: desde el diseño y la fabricación del envase hasta su recogida, clasificación, reciclaje y reutilización The implementation of the PPWR thus represents a progressive transformation process that affects the entire value chain: from the design and manufacture of packaging to its collection, sorting, recycling, and reuse
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