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With the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) coming into force in February 2025, it is clear that the requirements for packaging will become much more specific and verifiable. From August 12, 2026, companies will have to provide a PPWR declaration of conformity for all packaging placed on the market.

This provides clear proof that the packaging meets the legal requirements and may be placed on the market in the EU.

In concrete terms, this means that in future, companies will have to deal with the material composition, recyclability of Packaging and the proportion of recycled material in a structured manner. This information must not only be recorded internally, but also prepared in a comprehensible manner as technical documentation for the packaging.

All companies that are considered producers of packaging are obliged to do so, regardless of the industry or type of packaging. The PPWR requirements for companies stipulate that the declaration of conformity must be drawn up before the product is placed on the market and submitted to the authorities if required.

This raises the central question for many companies:

How can the requirements of the PPWR be efficiently integrated into existing processes and make Packaging PPWR compliant?

The challenge lies not so much in the individual document, but in creating a reliable database. After all, the PPWR declaration of conformity is only as good as the underlying information.

If you want to make your Packaging PPWR compliant at an early stage and reliably meet the requirements of the PPWR Declaration of Conformity, we will be happy to support you.

Our Interzero LinkedIn company page is evolving and will be managed as a central international platform in the future. All content will be published in English and will increasingly reflect the global perspective of our company.

The background to this is the increasing internationalization of the circular economy. Regulatory developments, market requirements and innovations have long been interlinked across borders. With our new focus, we are creating a platform on which these developments can be bundled and clearly classified.

For you, this means above all a broader view of international trends and best practices. You will gain insights into different markets, regulatory developments and strategic topics that are becoming increasingly important for internationally active companies.

In addition, thematic focuses are bundled more strongly. Dedicated focus pages provide in-depth access to key topics such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as well as sustainable packaging solutions and material developments.

Important for you: The LinkedIn page of Interzero Austria will of course remain and will continue to offer content with a clear reference to the Austrian market.

The new campaign phase “Her mit Leer II” will once again focus on a central challenge in waste management: the safe disposal of lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries.

The background to this is an increasing number of fire incidents in disposal and sorting facilities caused by incorrectly disposed batteries. Last year alone, numerous incidents were recorded in Austria that endangered the safety of employees and the functionality of the infrastructure.

The message of the campaign is clear: it is not the battery that is the problem, but its incorrect disposal.

“Her mit Leer II” builds on the first successful campaign phase and is now being continued throughout Austria. The aim is to further raise awareness of the correct way to return batteries and rechargeable batteries in everyday life – both among consumers and along the entire value chain.

The initiative is supported by a broad group of stakeholders: In addition to the WEEE Coordination Office (EAK) and the responsible Federal Ministry, waste management companies, retailers, municipalities and other organizations are also working together to ensure a safe and functioning circular economy. Interzero supports the initiative as part of this system and contributes its experience from operational waste management and cooperation with industry and trade.

For companies, this also means increasing responsibility along their own value chain – for example in retail, take-back systems or when handling products containing batteries. Safe collection and disposal is therefore becoming a relevant component of functioning processes.

At the same time, regulatory requirements, particularly in the context of the EU Battery Regulation, are becoming increasingly important. Functioning collection and safe disposal are therefore increasingly becoming an important factor for compliance and reporting.

The campaign relies on a broad approach across various channels – from traditional media to digital formats – with the aim of reaching as many people as possible in their everyday lives and motivating them to dispose of waste correctly.

Not many companies can say that they have shaped the way entire industries think for 35 years. For us, this anniversary is therefore not only a milestone, but also an opportunity to put the development of the circular economy and its significance for companies today into context.

From regulation to innovation – how it all began

Our beginnings date back to the early 1990s, when extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging became increasingly important for companies. Even then, it was clear that individual measures were not enough. Functioning systems that sensibly combine collection, sorting and recycling are crucial.

What initially emerged as a reaction to regulatory requirements quickly developed into an independent business model – based on the circular economy.

Today, the vision of a world without waste is not just a claim on paper for us, but the basis of our actions. For many years, we have been demonstrating that resource conservation and economic success can go hand in hand – through closed material cycles, efficient collection systems, modern sorting technologies and high-quality recyclates.

In doing so, we always work closely with the real requirements of the market. We support companies throughout Europe in implementing regulatory requirements, increasing material efficiency and achieving sustainability goals.

Services that have grown with the market

Over the past 35 years, we have continuously developed our service portfolio. In addition to classic recycling solutions, we now offer, among other things:

• Comprehensive waste management solutions for companies
• Strategic and operational consulting in the area of sustainability
• Take-back and reverse logistics solutions
• Digital tools for managing environmental, waste and CO₂ data
• Modern sorting facilities and certified secondary raw materials

This shows: We don’t just react to changes in the market – we actively shape them.

Looking ahead

For us, 35 years of Interzero is not a conclusion, but a starting point. The coming years will bring new challenges – from increasing regulatory requirements to the transformation of entire value chains.

Our approach remains unchanged: Together with our customers, we develop solutions that combine ecological responsibility and economic benefit.

Because our experience shows that the circular economy works – if it is implemented consistently.

When different players along the food value chain come together, real movement is created. This is exactly what has been achieved with the new Alliance against Food Waste and Poverty: Around 40 organizations from business, agriculture, trade, logistics and the social sector are joining forces to reduce food waste and at the same time combat food poverty in a targeted manner.

Initiated by Die Tafel Austria and presented at the Press Club Concordiathe alliance stands for a new, joint approach. Developing solutions together rather than side by side – practical, effective and thought through along the entire value chain.

For us, participation is a clear commitment. The circular economy means taking a holistic view of resources and assuming responsibility where it arises. The alliance creates the right platform for this.

(Cover picture: Alina Zechmeister, Interzero, at the Alliance’s kick-off press conference together with Alexandra Gruber, Managing Director of Die Tafel Österreich)

The new EU packaging regulation (PPWR) is often associated primarily with the target year 2030. associated with this. However, the first requirements will actually come into effect much earlier: a declaration of conformity will be mandatory from 12.8.2026. This confirms that packaging complies with the currently valid directives. Without a declaration of conformity, companies risk having items withdrawn from the market and incurring high penalties. At the same time, many companies are confronted with legal gray areas.

Terms “manufacturer”, “producer” and “distributor” lead to legal gray areas in PPWR

“Above all, there is a lack of a clear definition of terms: Who is a manufacturer, who is a producer, who is a retailer? Each of these terms is associated with certain obligations under the PPWR. Due to the lack of clarity, many questions cannot be answered one hundred percent, especially in complex supply chains “, explains Thomas Glatz, Managing Director Interzero Austria.

In addition, it has not yet been fully clarified what will count as packaging in the future and what will not.
“For example, it is currently still unclear how coffee capsules will be classified and discharged. This makes planning difficult and may delay the necessary changes for companies, but also for providers of collection and recycling systems. Rapid clarification of these points would be helpful for the entire economy “, Glatz continues.

Act early: Stay PPWR compliant in 3 steps

Even if not all legal issues have been fully clarified yet, it is crucial for affected companies to act now in order to be prepared for the redesign of processes, the conversion of systems or the development of compliant Packaging.

Interzero recommends proceeding in three steps:

1. Create transparency and establish a clear database on the Packaging used.
2. Analyze the packaging portfolio for recyclability and identify problematic material combinations.
3. Test new packaging solutions at an early stage in order to combine innovation with brand strategy and cost optimization.

Strategic PPWR consulting for your company by Interzero

As Europe’s leading provider of circular economy solutions, we support companies with a wide range of services to meet the requirements of the PPWR.

These include strategic PPWR consulting as well as specific, customized solutions. “Check for Recycling” is a digital tool that can be used to check the recyclability of existing packaging and create automated declarations of conformity.

With “Made4Circle” we accompany companies through the entire process: from the recyclability of the packaging analyzed in the laboratory to direct recommendations for action regarding design and material selection to the use of the recyclate developed in our in-house competence center for recycled plastics.

Whether in cities, municipalities or commercial areas: Today, waste infrastructure has to do more than just be functional. Durable, low-maintenance solutions that can be flexibly adapted to different requirements are in demand.

As a sales partner, we offer integrated collection systems for indoor and outdoor use – from individual recycling stations to sophisticated overall solutions. We combine design, functionality and cost-effectiveness with the aim of making waste processes more efficient and sustainable for our customers.

Designing waste processes efficiently: With recycling stations for indoor and outdoor

One concrete example of this is the “Edinburgh Click & Build” recycling station from our partner Cervic. The special feature: The system is delivered disassembled and only assembled on site. This significantly reduces the transport volume – a clear advantage for logistics, storage and cost structure.

This difference is particularly noticeable in projects with several units: less space required for transportation, lower emissions and more efficient handling overall.

In use, the station impresses with its robust construction made of powder-coated steel, flexible configuration options for different waste fractions and well thought-out details for daily use. At the same time, the system remains adaptable – for example, thanks to easily replaceable labels if requirements change.

The solution also meets key requirements of the modern circular economy in terms of sustainability: durable materials, high recyclability and a reduced carbon footprint along the entire value chain.

Since the introduction of the one-way deposit system, beverage packaging in Austria is increasingly being returned to the cycle. Current evaluations show that the majority of containers are already being returned (source: Recycling Deposit Austria, 2026).

Aluminum in particular is proving to be a key material: it is technically recyclable without any loss of quality and is available in high purity thanks to separate collection in the deposit system. This lays the foundations for a functioning material cycle.

Collection becomes circulation: Aluminum as a key material

Functioning material flows are needed to turn collection into circulation. This is exactly where we come in.

Together with partners from the beverage industry and retail – including Stiegl, Ottakringer, Egger Getränke, Starzinger as well as REWE, BILLA, Penny and HOFER – we organize the recycling of the collected aluminium cans. We bundle the materials, market them specifically to recycling partners and return them to production as high-quality secondary raw materials.

On the basis of available recycling certificates from our recycling partners, the aluminum collected from the deposit system is fully recycled and can be used again for the production of packaging. In this way, the material remains in the cycle and the use of primary raw materials can be significantly reduced.

This example shows that the circular economy is not created through collection alone, but through the interaction of all those involved.

Interzero as an interface between trade, industry and recycling

We see ourselves as an interface between trade, industry and recycling. Through the targeted management and marketing of material flows, we help to ensure that recyclable materials remain available in high quality – and actually flow back into new products.

For companies, this means predictable material flows, reliable recycling quality and an active contribution to achieving regulatory and ESG targets.

The circular economy is gaining in importance: regulatory requirements vs. practice

The Austrian Sustainability Summit 2026 was fully booked and once again demonstrated the growing importance of the circular economy and resource issues. As part of the summit, the Circular Economy Stream as an independent conference format provides space for in-depth discussions and concrete solutions along the entire value chain.

We were there with the panel “With barrier papers to PPWR conformity and low EPR fees” and deliberately opted for a practice-oriented approach.

The focus was on the question of how companies can translate increasing regulatory requirements – particularly as a result of the PPWR – into concrete solutions at an early stage. This is because it has become clear with the entry into force of the first regulations, for example on “Substances in Packaging” (e.g. PFAS in accordance with Article 5): The debate about recyclability and material selection cannot be delayed.

Thomas Glatz, Managing Director Interzero Austria, comments:

The Circular Economy Stream has clearly shown how strong the need is for concrete, practicable solutions. Especially when it comes to topics such as PPWR and recyclability, it is no longer about theory, but about how companies can implement these requirements in practice in an economically viable way.”

The intensive exchange in the panel and the numerous discussions at our Meeting Point confirmed this: Companies are looking for concrete guidance to not only fulfill regulatory requirements, but to actively use them for their own transformation.

You can find more impressions and insights from the Austrian Sustainability Summit HERE

In Austria, waste prevention measures are promoted via approved collection and recycling systems. Packaging is handled by the Packaging Coordination Office (VKS) and waste electrical and electronic equipment by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Coordination Office (EAK). The aim is to reduce the quality and quantity of waste and to reduce environmental pollution.

Funding is provided for, among other things:

• Reduction of production and packaging waste

• Introduction of reusable or reuse systems

• Optimization of logistics processes to avoid waste

• Extension of product service life, for example through repairability

• Training and awareness-raising measures
• Repair projects and initiatives for the reuse of old electrical appliances

Pure basic research or measures without a clear focus on waste prevention are not eligible for funding. The submitted project must fulfill at least one defined focus.

Costs and project types for EAK and VKS:

The amount of funding depends on the type of project and organization. Small and large projects as well as material cost projects are possible; Depending on the category, subsidies of up to 360.000 euros per year.

Target groups:

The funding rate varies – depending on the applicant and system – between between 30 % and 100 %

Submission deadlines 2026:

• EAK (waste electrical and electronic equipment): until March 31, 2026
• VKS (Packaging): until April 13, 2026

The evaluation is based on clearly defined criteria such as waste prevention potential, environmental effects and economic viability.

More information on funding criteria, priorities 2026 and submission documents can be found here:

• PromotionInformation from the VKS in the field of Packaging 2026: https://www.abfallvermeidungs-foerderung.at/ausschreibungen/
• Funding information dof the EAK in the field of waste electrical and electronic equipment 2026 : https://www.eak-austria.at/foerderungen-zur-abfallvermeidung-und-reuse/

Our service for you: Interzero supports you in the structured conception and submission of your projects: From the definition of objectives to the derivation of measurable key figures and coordination with the relevant authorities. By embedding them in existing waste and recycling processes, projects are created that are not only eligible for funding, but also reduce costs and increase resource efficiency in the long term.

For companies, this means financial support while at the same time strategically developing their own waste and recycling management.

Are you planning a waste prevention project or would you like to check eligibility for funding? Arrange a personal consultation with our team. We will assist you with the design, submission and implementation.