EU sustainability legislation and its impact on e-commerce packaging design

Abstract

The European Union has shown deep concern about environmental sustainability by developing a range of legislation to reduce waste, emissions, and resource depletion. This thesis analyzes how recent EU sustainability directives, including the European Green Deal and the Single-Use Plastics Directive, will reshape packaging design in the e-commerce sector. With e-commerce growth contributing significantly to packaging waste, these regulatory measures drive a shift toward more sustainable, recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable packaging solutions. The study investigates the direct impacts of these laws on e-commerce packaging, with a special focus on material selection, design modifications, and customer perception.

This research uncovers the challenges and opportunities for businesses to follow through regulatory document analysis, case studies of e-commerce companies, and expert interviews. This thesis contributes to the understanding of legislative impacts on design practices, providing insights into how the evolving regulatory landscape may shape the future of sustainable packaging in e-commerce and how businesses can adapt to regulations. The design project presented in this document is created to fit the new requirements found during this research process.