The European Green Deal is forcing the plastics industry into a radical transformation centered on recycling and sustainability. New regulations are turning environmental responsibilities into a necessity rather than a choice for manufacturers. The Green Deal confronts plastic producers with environmental responsibilities. Sustainability is now the most critical benchmark for competition!
Approved by the EU Commission in 2020, the European Green Deal has brought about new regulations that will affect both states within the European Economic Area and third-party states with which the EU conducts trade. While the new regulations introduced under the framework of the Green Deal have impacted many sectors in line with sustainability goals, the plastics industry has become one of the most prominent areas of this transformation. Aiming to become a climate-neutral continent by 2050, the Green Deal encompasses sub-targets such as promoting a circular economy, efficient use of resources, and protecting biodiversity beyond this core objective. Therefore, it is possible to say that the regulations brought about by the Green Deal have significant effects on industry, agriculture, transport, finance, and many other sectors. Furthermore, these regulations concern not only the EU internal market but also EU foreign trade closely. In particular, regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive directly affect both producers within the EU and countries trading with the EU.
New regulations
One of the most notable regulations following the Green Deal is the Single-Use Plastics Directive, which entered into force in 2021. With this directive, we see that serious restrictions have been placed on the use of products such as straws, cutlery, plates, and cotton swabs, and in some cases, these products have been banned. A new requirement introduced with the directive is that plastic bottle caps must be designed to be tethered to the bottle. This practice, which became mandatory as of 2024, represents a significant change for plastic product manufacturers. In addition, the Directive stipulates that as of 2025, all plastic bottles must contain at least 25% recycled plastic content. By 2030, this rate will increase to 30%. The primary goal of these regulations appears to be encouraging the circularity of raw materials by increasing demand in the recycling market. Another important regulation is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. This regulation requires plastic packaging manufacturers to calculate the environmental impact of their products throughout their lifecycle and guarantee their recyclability. All these obligations require a serious transformation for plastic producers, not only environmentally but also financially and operationally.
Extended producer responsibility
The principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an application that appears in many different regulations under the Green Deal, running parallel to the "polluter pays" approach. Under this extended responsibility, producers are now responsible not only for production but also for post-waste stages. In this context, producers are required to contribute financially to the costs of waste management, cleaning, and public awareness arising from their products turning into waste. In other words, along with the SUP Directive, Extended Producer Responsibility makes plastic producers directly responsible for the post-use environmental effects of their products, not just the production phase. From packaging to wet wipes, cigarette filters to fishing nets, the manufacturer must now think about how every piece of plastic they put on the market will be collected from the streets, how it will be sorted, and how this will be communicated to the public. Considering all this, it is possible to say that producers are now obliged to contribute financially to cleaning and environmental awareness campaigns, in addition to waste management costs. Of course, this means that new line items have been added to the cost structures of companies operating in the plastics sector. We can say that the issue is no longer just quality and cheap production; it is now a competitive process measured by environmental sustainability performance as well. While this creates serious compliance pressure, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers, it makes it almost mandatory for large manufacturers to invest in recycling infrastructure.
CBAM to be implemented in 2026
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will be fully implemented as of 2026. With this regulation, the carbon emission limits that industrialists producing within the EU must comply with will also apply to products produced outside the EU but exported to the EU. Otherwise, these products will be subject to a tax at the border based on their carbon content. Although CBAM is initially limited to sectors such as cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen, it seems highly likely that plastic and petrochemical products will be included in the scope in the post-2026 period. Moreover, even if the plastics industry is not directly under the scope of CBAM, it is a sector indirectly affected due to production methods with high carbon footprints. For example, if the petrochemical raw materials used in plastic products have high carbon intensity, these products face the risk of being at a disadvantage in the EU market. Therefore, producers will have to invest not only in the physical quality of the product but also in the environmental sustainability of the production process.
Is the Green Deal a risk or an opportunity?
A large portion of the processes in Turkey’s plastic production is still based on fossil fuels, and recycling rates are below the EU average. Moreover, when evaluating criteria such as lifecycle analyses, carbon calculations, and environmental impact statements, which are necessary for compliance with Green Deal regulations, we see that many companies are not ready for this transformation. However, it is possible to change this situation positively. The Green Deal offers not only sanctions but also opportunities for the plastics sector. For example, areas such as bioplastics, compostable packaging, and innovative recycling technologies are among the markets that will grow rapidly in the coming period. Therefore, EU funds offer significant incentives to companies that produce sustainably. Green transition funds provided by the EU offer serious grants and incentive opportunities, especially for firms that invest in R&D, report on sustainability, and commit to carbon reduction. It is possible to apply for these funds in Turkey either directly or through framework programs such as Horizon Europe or IPA. Many EU countries are even actively looking for partners for projects that will help external firms, which they will integrate into their supply chains, to raise their "environmental compliance" levels. In short, companies that keep up with the transformation can be part of a process that not only eliminates risks but also increases competitiveness, opens new export channels, and strengthens brand value in the long term. For this reason, companies that adapt to the transformation have the potential to gain an advantage in new markets.
Who is Atty. Ayşe Sırma Özberber?
She specialized in European Union Law by completing her master's degree at Marmara University Institute of European Union Studies. She conducts studies on legal regulations that have come into effect in the fields of sustainability, energy, and climate change, especially the European Union Green Deal. Shaping her legal practice around the axis of environmental and social responsibility, Özberber particularly conducts work on ESG (environmental, social, governance) consultancy. Having served as a lawyer at PricewaterhouseCoopers for more than five years, Özberber contributed to various studies and conferences in the field of ESG. Currently continuing her private practice as a lawyer, Özberber continues her doctoral studies on sustainability and law at Istanbul Medeniyet University. She closely follows legal developments in Turkey and constantly updates her professional practice to meet the needs of the era.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.