Watercoolers Europe Hosted LinkedIn Webinar on PPWR and Reusable Packaging for the HOD Industry

Watercoolers Europe hosted its second LinkedIn Live webinar of the quarter on 7 September, examining how the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is reshaping reusable packaging practices in the Home and Office Delivery water industry. The session was presented by Olivia Dupuis, General Manager of Aqua Pyrénées International and OP SARL, and Craig Scott, a specialist in returnable packaging solutions with more than 35 years of experience and visits to nearly 500 HOD bottling plants worldwide.

PPWR and the HOD Industry

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation 2025/40) entered into application on 12 August 2026, with further milestones on labelling, collection targets and recyclability due between 2028 and 2030. The webinar’s central argument was clear: PPWR explicitly prioritises prevention and reuse over recycling – a hierarchy that maps naturally onto the HOD model of returnable, refillable packaging.

Protecting Assets, Reducing Waste

The session explored how extending the life of returnable assets – bottles, coolers, caps and closures – is one of the most effective ways to align with PPWR objectives while reducing operating costs. Practical case studies covered eliminating disposable stretch film, reducing bottle damage in transit, and adopting returnable bins for caps and preforms. Attendees were also encouraged to audit hidden packaging waste streams such as shrink film and corrugated boxes, which many companies do not currently measure.

Watch the Recording

A full recording of the webinar is available here: https://watercoolerseurope.eu/ask-the-expert/