Civic education OVER-PACKAGING Over-packaging is a problem that seems to be on the increase at a time when it really should be on the decrease. This excessive packaging leads to many wasted resources. Apart from the negative impact on the environment, over packaging also costs more for companies, and they often pass on these extra expenses to customers, making products more expensive. How much waste? Packaging has an environmental cost and, according to statistics, 189 kg of packaging waste was produced for every EU citizen in 2021. Over the past ten years, the amount of packaging waste has increased by more than 20%. waste. In particular, the directive provides for a 5% reduction in packaging produced by 2030 compared to 2018, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040, introducing waste prevention targets, rather than just recycling ones. The main directives of the new Packaging Regulation are: The new PPWR The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) approved in March 2024 by the European Parliament, represents a fundamental pillar in the EU regulatory landscape, outlining the directives and provisions that concern the packaging of products within the borders of the EU. The PPWR replaces the Directive in force since 1994 in order to standardise the regulations relating to the management of packaging waste and to promote their reuse and recycling. One of its main objectives is the reduction of packaging reduction of the weight and quantity of materials used in packaging; reuse of packaging; recycling of materials; standardisation of packaging design and clarity of labelling; elimination of certain types of single-use packaging; Adapted from: https://www.plastisac.it/news/3484/ regolamento-imballaggi-ue-tutto-quello-che-ce-da-sapere pillar: pilastro 19 GROUP WORK Follow the instructions. 1. Split up into groups of 4 students. 2. Search for more information on the web about the New European Packaging Regulation. 3. Discuss if and how the new Packaging regulations will really be useful for European citizens. 4. Using the information collected and your own ideas, make a short and funny video to make people aware of the problem of over packaging. 5. Share the video with classmates and get them to ask questions about the problem. 74 MARKETING and advertising