A practical guide for procurement, operations, quality, logistics and sustainability teams reviewing bulk packaging, reusable containers and material handling systems ahead of the new EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation.
The new Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation is changing how companies think about packaging, reuse, waste and material choices. For businesses using bulk containers and reusable handling systems, the question is no longer only what a container costs to buy. It is how long it stays in use, how well it supports daily operations, how it is documented, and what happens at the end of its life. iTUB is Sæplast’s reusable packaging and rental solution, built around durable Sæplast tubs designed for long-term use. These tubs are strong, reusable handling assets for demanding operations where hygiene, traceability, repairability and responsible end-of-life management all matter. Through iTUB Rental, Sæplast also supports customers who need access to reusable tubs without owning the full fleet themselves. That makes the reuse case more flexible: companies can own containers, rent containers, or combine both models depending on volume, seasonality, return flows and operational needs. |
PPWR replaces the 1994 Packaging Directive with binding EU-wide rules on packaging and packaging waste. The Regulation entered into force on 11 February 2025 and generally applies from 12 August 2026.
For operations already working with iTUB, this direction perfectly fits the way of working. Your tubs already get reused, cleaned and tracked through MiND, run after run, instead of thrown away after one trip.
The direction is clear: packaging will need to be reviewed more carefully across its full life cycle. That includes design, material use, reuse, recyclability, labelling, reporting and waste management.
For companies using bulk packaging, transport packaging or reusable containers, this turns packaging into a broader operational question. It is no longer enough to look only at purchase price or short-term availability. Companies will need to control where packaging is used, how often it is reused, how it is cleaned, how it is tracked, and how it is handled at the end of its life.
Containers that are used every day, moved between sites, washed, stacked, repaired and reused already function in a way the PPWR will be requiring
PPWR does not mean every packaging flow must change overnight. But it does mean companies should start reviewing which flows are ready for stronger reuse, better documentation and a more circular approach.
Reusable packaging only works when the system behind it works.
A container must be strong enough for repeated handling, practical enough for daily use, suitable for cleaning, and reliable enough to stay in service over time. If the container breaks too quickly, is difficult to manage, or has no clear route for repair or end-of-life handling, the reuse case becomes weaker.
That is why long-life containers matter.
A durable reusable container can reduce the need for single-use packaging in suitable applications. It can also help companies take better control of their packaging assets by managing containers as a fleet instead of treating packaging only as a consumable cost.
This shift from single-use thinking to fleet thinking is important. A reusable fleet can be tracked, cleaned, maintained, repaired and improved over time. It gives procurement, operations and sustainability teams a clearer basis for decision-making.
For some companies, ownership is the right model. For others, rental or pooling may be a more practical route, especially when demand changes through the year or when customers want reusable tubs without committing capital to a full fleet.
That is where iTUB strengthens the Sæplast offering. It gives customers a way to use Sæplast-quality reusable tubs as a service, supporting reuse without forcing every company into the same ownership model.
iTUB rents out reusable tubs, so customers can use them without purchasing and managing a full container fleet themselves. This can be especially relevant for seasonal demand, peak periods, trials, growth phases, or operations where flexibility matters.
iTUB operates its fleet exclusively with Sæplast tubs, selected for their durability, long service life and suitability for repeated use in demanding handling environments. That makes them a relevant option for companies reviewing their packaging and handling systems ahead of PPWR.
The product fit is practical. Sæplast containers support long-term use through strong construction, reusable design, material options for different applications, cleaning compatibility, tracking possibilities, repair services and end-of-life recycling routes for PE products in selected regions.
iTUB adds another layer to that same reuse logic. Instead of purchasing and managing every container themselves, customers can rent reusable tubs when they need them. This can be especially relevant for seasonal demand, peak periods, trials, growth phases or operations where flexibility is important.
Together, Sæplast and iTUB support two practical paths toward reusable handling systems:
No packaging supplier or rental provider can make a customer compliant on its own. Compliance depends on the customer’s role in the supply chain, the application, the packaging system, documentation, reporting and local implementation.
What Sæplast and iTUB can provide is a strong practical fit for companies moving toward reusable, durable and better-managed packaging systems.
PPWR readiness rarely fails because companies do not feel the urgency. It fails because change takes time.
A reusable handling system needs to be specified, tested, approved, cleaned, tracked and integrated into daily operations. That cannot be done properly at the last minute.
A practical starting point is to review four areas.
Not every packaging flow will move to reusable containers. Some applications will still need other packaging formats. But where reusable systems make operational sense, PPWR gives companies a stronger reason to review the business case now.
iTUB can support that review with long-life reusable container solutions, repair options, tracking possibilities and practical experience from demanding material handling environments.
iTUB can support the same direction through flexible rental access to reusable tubs, helping companies scale, test or manage peak demand without always needing to purchase a full container fleet.