New EU Packaging Rules: What Florists Need to Know
Florint recently shared an interesting article from Thursd with us about the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which begins to apply generally from 12 August 2026.
There is a lot of information circulating about this regulation, so we’ve pulled out the key points that are most relevant to florists and flower businesses.
First — don’t panic
This does not mean that the packaging currently in your flower shop suddenly becomes illegal on 12 August 2026.
The PPWR will be introduced gradually over a number of years, with different requirements coming into force at different stages.
What it does mean is that the way packaging is designed, produced, supplied, used, recycled and reused across Europe is changing — and as florists, it’s worth understanding the direction of travel.
What counts as packaging?
For a flower shop, packaging goes far beyond cardboard boxes.
It can include:
Bouquet sleeves and films
Kraft and wrapping papers
Tissue paper
Bouquet bags and carriers
Gift and hat boxes
Plant sleeves
Plant pots and trays (where they meet the definition of packaging)
Delivery and transport boxes
Protective packaging used for online orders
Ribbons, tapes and other decorative or functional packaging components
And importantly, before flowers even reach us, there is another layer of packaging throughout the supply chain — including sleeves, buckets, trays, crates and transport packaging used by growers, auctions and wholesalers.
What is the EU trying to achieve?
At its core, the PPWR is about reducing packaging waste.
The legislation aims to move Europe towards:
Less unnecessary packaging
Greater reuse of materials
Improved recyclability
Better transparency about what packaging is made from
By 2030, significant recyclability requirements will apply to packaging placed on the EU market.
For florists, this raises a very practical and creative question:
Can we deliver the same beautiful customer experience using less, and better, packaging?
A bouquet does not necessarily need multiple layers of paper, plastic, tissue, waterproof lining, ribbon and decorative film to feel premium.
Increasingly, good design may be about making packaging simpler, more intentional, and more sustainable — without losing beauty or impact.
Do florists need to certify their packaging?
For most independent flower shops, the immediate answer is not a simple “yes”.
Responsibility depends on where the packaging comes from and who first places it on the market.
If you are purchasing packaging through established suppliers, much of the technical compliance work is likely to sit further up the supply chain.
However, businesses that:
Import packaging directly
Commission bespoke or branded packaging
Bring packaged products into Ireland or across EU borders
Sell across multiple countries
may have additional responsibilities.
This is not a one-size-fits-all situation, and florists should look at their own supply chains rather than assume the same rules apply to every business.
What should we do now?
There is no need for immediate change, but there are sensible steps every florist can take now to prepare.
Start by reviewing the packaging you currently use in your shop and identifying where it comes from.
When speaking with suppliers, begin asking:
“Is this packaging PPWR compliant, and can you provide the material specifications and relevant compliance information?”
It is also good practice to:
Keep records and specifications for packaging you purchase
Review compliance information when updating or reordering packaging
Include PPWR considerations in conversations about new branded bags, boxes, sleeves or bespoke packaging before placing orders
There is no need to discard existing packaging. The key is to make informed decisions as stock is replaced over time.
Why this matters to floristry
Flowers have a complex journey:
Grower → auction/supplier → exporter/wholesaler → florist → customer
At almost every stage, packaging plays a role.
The PPWR will increasingly encourage the entire industry to consider:
How much packaging is truly necessary
What materials are being used
Where reuse systems could replace single-use options
This is particularly relevant to developments such as reusable flower buckets, crates and plant trays, which are already gaining traction in parts of the industry.
This is not just about compliance.
It is also an opportunity for florists to rethink packaging — balancing protection, presentation and sustainability in a way that still delivers a beautiful customer experience.
Want to read more?
Thank you to Florint for highlighting this topic and sharing the original Thursd article with us.
We encourage members who want to explore further to read:
“EU Packaging Law PPWR – How PackR8 Helps” — Thursd
The article also references PackR8, a commercial platform designed to help businesses manage packaging compliance across different European markets. It is important to note that this is one commercial solution, not an official or mandatory EU system.
We will continue to monitor developments around PPWR and share updates relevant to the floristry industry as the regulation is phased in.
