The Future of Sustainable Packaging in European Trade 2030

Despite increased efforts toward a circular economy, the share of recycled materials in global consumption has dropped from 9.1% in 2018 to just 6.9% in 2024. Meanwhile, the demand for raw materials continues to soar, aggravating this challenge. This report shares four scenarios for what sustainable packaging in European trade could look like by 2030. The scenarios were developed with input from stakeholders across politics, business, science, and civil society, and are designed to help decision-makers prepare for a range of possible futures. In addition to mapping out possible futures, the report offers practical impulses and guidance for policymakers, businesses, and civil society and aims to inspire further initiatives and pilot projects, ensuring that the vision of a circular packaging economy becomes a reality by 2030 and beyond. This report (available in German) was developed as part of a collaboration between the CSCP and the co-do lab with the Forum on Ecological Packaging Forum (Forum Ökologisch Verpacken).