Once upon a time, I bought a simple eyebrow pencil online, and it arrived in an enormous cardboard box, likely for ease of storage in the delivery van. Fortunately, most of that box was recyclable, but the same cannot be said for the typical packaging of CPU boxes. For me, the excitement of new hardware is matched only by the existential dread of confronting a CPU box filled with styrofoam packing peanuts that are destined for the landfill.
However, this scenario might soon be a thing of the past. As of February 11, 2025, a new EU regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), has come into effect. This regulation aims to reduce unnecessary packaging and minimize the weight and volume of packaging[2][4].
The European Commission’s PPWR is a significant step towards a more sustainable future, similar to how EU regulations led to standardized USB-C charging ports and stronger ‘right to repair’ legislation. This new regulation gives manufacturers an 18-month grace period to comply, which could mark the end of excessively large and wasteful packaging, such as the elaborate boxes for special edition CPUs[1].
One of the key questions is whether the bundled CPU coolers will also become a thing of the past. While some people use these coolers, many opt for third-party alternatives. The PPWR’s focus on minimizing unnecessary packaging could potentially lead to the unbundling of these coolers[1].
The PPWR has ambitious goals, including making all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030 and decreasing the use of virgin materials in packaging to achieve climate neutrality by 2050[2][4].
For those who worry about e-waste, this regulation is a welcome move. Practically, smaller packaging can be beneficial, such as during a house move, where keeping the original box can ensure the delicate tech survives. It’s a wish many have had for a long time – why can’t CPU boxes be as compact as those for anime figures?
The EU’s efforts to reduce packaging waste and promote sustainability are part of a broader strategy to create a circular and climate-neutral economy. This move could have a significant impact, not just in the EU but also globally, as EU regulations often set a precedent for other regions[1][2][4].