EU Commission adopts new rules on single-use PET bottles recycling
Last update on Jul 7, 2026
For plastics formulators, converters and recyclers working with single-use PET beverage bottles, calculating and reporting recycled content – including chemically recycled content – is now governed by a defined, verifiable methodology.
The European Commission adopted new rules on recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles made primarily of polyethylene terephthalate (PET bottles). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology to calculate, verify and report chemically recycled content. The measure is part of the Commission's December 2025 plastics package.
Designed to ensure transparency in calculating recycled content
According to the European Commission, the new rules are designed to ensure transparency in calculating recycled content in new single-use PET bottles. The Commission states this is key to creating a level playing field and providing investment security for the plastic recycling sector.
The methodology can be applied to any recycling technology, including chemical and mechanical recycling technologies. This is intended to help Member States meet the recycled-content target set under the Single-Use Plastics Directive.
Mechanical and chemical recycling: Complementary pathways
Mechanical recycling is currently the most widely used method for recycling plastics, typically used to sort, clean, shred and remold plastics into new products. However, some plastic waste streams cannot be effectively recycled mechanically – for example, plastic waste with food residues, additives and mixed materials, which reduce recyclability.
In these cases, chemical recycling can complement mechanical recycling. Unlike mechanical recycling, chemical recycling breaks down plastics into smaller molecules that can be reused as feedstocks for new plastics or other chemicals. This is intended to return more plastic waste streams to the circular economy, including for products that must meet high-quality standards such as food-contact packaging.
In a first phase, the EU will count as recycled plastics material from the Union and EEA countries, where compliance with EU environmental rules can be fully verified. From 21 November 2027, recycled plastic from OECD countries will also count, unless excluded under the Waste Shipment Regulation. Material from non-OECD countries will also count when covered by arrangements ensuring equivalent standards related to human health and environmental protection requirements – for example, under the Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Recycled content is counted toward EU targets based on credible, traceable and environmentally sound standards, as defined by the Commission.
Next steps
The Implementing Act will be published in the Official Journal shortly and will enter into force 20 days later.
Background
To prepare the Implementing Act, the Commission consulted stakeholders on the proposed new rules. Member States' representatives voted positively on the Commission's proposal at a meeting of the Waste Technical Adaptation Committee in February 2026. The measure was also notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO), giving WTO members the opportunity to submit comments.
Formulators and specifiers tracking regulatory developments in recycled PET content can cross-reference related grades and supplier data in the Master Catalog of Plastics.