Plastic Packaging With 35% PCR: What You Need to Know Before 2030

By 2030, the packaging landscape will have changed for good. Under the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), any plastic packaging placed on the EU market must contain a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. That’s a hard line, not a suggestion. And it’s closer than many realise.

If you’re a brand owner, contract filler, or buyer still relying on virgin plastic, now’s the time to act.

In this blog post, we are going to cover one of the key aspects of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), and that is if your product is sold into the EU, you’ll soon be legally required to use packaging with at least 30% recycled content. And demand is already outpacing supply.

If you wait, you could face:

• Limited feedstock availability
• Unpredictable pricing
• Delays and disruptions
• Compliance risks – and lost market access

Why 35% PCR – Not 100% – Is the Smart Target

We speak to many companies who think they need to switch to 100% PCR to stay compliant. You don’t.

In fact, 35% PCR is the strategic sweet spot for plastic packaging:

• It ensures compliance now and for the future
• It avoids straining global PCR supply chains
• It keeps packaging cost and availability balanced

We’ve already seen what happens when demand spikes – back in 2021, when the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) launched, major brands snapped up feedstock, creating pricing surges and availability issues.

BlueSky recommends 35% PCR because it delivers the best of all worlds – compliance, resilience, and continuity.

What Counts as PCR?

PCR means plastic that has already been used by consumers, collected, cleaned and reprocessed for use in new packaging.

We can supply at least 35% PCR packaging in:

• PET bottles and jars
• HDPE bottles and jars
• Aluminium bottles and jars, with 100% PCR options for the bottles

Some items are in UK stock. Many are made-to-order – but with our robust supply chain, we can help you access what you need, fast.

Don’t Wait for 2029

We understand cost pressures. Virgin plastic is cheaper right now, and many businesses want to delay.

But waiting comes with risk:

• Regulatory pressure will tighten
• Demand will outstrip supply
• Your competitors may beat you to compliant stock

Getting ahead now gives you more choice, better pricing, and time to transition smoothly.

BlueSky Helps You Secure Your Supply – Before the Rush

As a UK-based packaging distributor with deep global supplier relationships, BlueSky offers:

• 30+% PCR Packaging Options in PET, HDPE
• 100% PCR Aluminium bottles
• Fast turnaround from UK stock for some SKUs
• Fast global sourcing through trusted supply chain partners
• Customised consultancy to help you plan for compliance – now and long term
• Low MOQs and stock reservation options to protect your supply
• Future-proof planning to align with upcoming regulation

Whether you’re looking for a quick switch or a full packaging transition, we’ll help you find the right PCR solution – and make sure it’s ready when you need it.

Get Started with Confidence

BlueSky’s team of packaging experts is here to help you:

• Understand how PPWR affects your range
• Recommend 35% PCR solutions for plastic packaging
• Secure availability through strong global sourcing

Contact us today:

[email protected]

+44 (0)1472 240940

You may also be interested in reading:

UK Plastic Packaging Tax Update – Effective 1st April 2025

Understanding the PPWR: What It Means for Your Packaging

Knowledge Base – PCR Content

BlueSky Thinking – Navigating the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

BlueSky Thinking – How Mono-Material Packaging Can Future-Proof Your Brand