easyJet's new digital fuel platform aims to cut emissions
Digital efficiency in aviation meets regulatory change in packaging
Two recent developments show how sustainability is moving from ambition to application. easyJet has introduced a digital refuelling platform that cuts fuel waste and paper use. Meanwhile, the European Union has implemented binding packaging rules that require reuse, recyclability, and tighter controls on hazardous substances. Both signal a shift toward embedding environmental performance in everyday operations and product design.
For UK businesses, these changes highlight a pattern. Efficiency improvements inside companies are accelerating. At the same time, regulatory expectations outside them are tightening. The message is consistent: sustainability is becoming a standard part of how you operate, not an optional extra.
easyJet replaces paper fuel logs with digital workflow
The airline has partnered with i6 Group to deploy the eHandshake digital refuelling platform across its network. The system replaces a paper-based process with a digital workflow for fuel ordering and confirmation. Pilots, fuel suppliers, and operations teams now share information through a single platform.
The result is more accurate fuel loading. Carrying excess fuel increases aircraft weight, which in turn increases fuel burn. By improving communication and reducing unnecessary uplift, the airline expects to cut around 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The platform also eliminates approximately 600,000 sheets of paper each year.
This is a practical example of digitalisation delivering environmental and operational benefits simultaneously. The technology does not require new aircraft or alternative fuels. Instead, it improves an existing process and reduces waste at the same time.
For businesses considering similar improvements, the lesson is clear. Digital tools can reduce resource use without requiring major capital investment. The key is identifying inefficiencies in current workflows and addressing them systematically.
EU regulation establishes mandatory packaging standards from August 2026
The European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 entered into force on 11 February 2025. It began to apply generally from 12 August 2026. The regulation introduces binding requirements for packaging design, recyclability, reuse, and hazardous-substance controls across the single market.
The framework is comprehensive. It covers substance restrictions, packaging minimisation, reuse targets, labelling, and waste-prevention measures. The overall goal is to shift the EU toward a more circular packaging economy. Reuters reported that the regime sets targets to cut packaging waste by 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040, compared with 2018 levels.
The regulation includes specific restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging. It also requires that packaging be recyclable, reusable, or recoverable. The European Commission stated that plastic packaging must contain recycled content, with all packaging expected to be recyclable by 2030.
This is not just a recycling policy. It is a market-wide overhaul of packaging design and waste management. Manufacturers, retailers, logistics firms, and food-service operators selling into the EU will need to comply. For some companies, that means redesigning materials and formats well before later milestones.
Implications for UK businesses trading with the EU
UK companies exporting goods to the EU will need to meet the new packaging requirements. The regulation applies to products placed on the EU market, regardless of where they are manufactured. Consequently, UK exporters must ensure their packaging complies with recyclability, reuse, and substance-restriction standards.
The timeline is important. The regulation began applying from August 2026, but businesses should act sooner. Redesigning packaging, sourcing compliant materials, and updating supply chains take time. Waiting until the deadline may create unnecessary cost and disruption.
There are also broader commercial considerations. Buyers in the EU may favour suppliers who can demonstrate compliance early. Public sector tenders increasingly include sustainability criteria. Packaging that meets the new standards could strengthen your competitive position in the EU market.
Moreover, the regulation reflects wider expectations around product design and waste. Similar requirements are emerging in other markets. Investing in compliant packaging now may reduce future costs as standards converge globally.
How these developments connect to wider sustainability trends
The easyJet initiative and the EU regulation illustrate two complementary approaches to reducing environmental impact. One focuses on operational efficiency within a company. The other establishes mandatory standards across a market. Both are becoming more common.
Digitalisation is enabling efficiency gains that were previously difficult to achieve. Improved data sharing, real-time communication, and automated workflows can reduce waste, cut emissions, and lower costs. These improvements often require modest investment but deliver measurable returns.
At the same time, regulators are raising baseline expectations for product design, material use, and waste management. The EU packaging regulation is part of a broader trend toward circular economy policies. These frameworks aim to keep materials in use longer, reduce reliance on virgin resources, and minimise waste.
For businesses, the implication is straightforward. Incremental improvements are no longer sufficient. Sustainability is becoming embedded in daily processes, procurement, and product design. Companies that act early can reduce costs, manage risks, and improve competitiveness. Those that wait may face higher costs and greater disruption later.
Essential facts about the easyJet platform and EU packaging regulation
- easyJet has deployed i6 Group's eHandshake digital refuelling platform across its network to replace paper-based fuel ordering and confirmation.
- The airline expects the system to reduce emissions by approximately 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually by improving fuel accuracy and reducing unnecessary uplift.
- The platform is also expected to eliminate around 600,000 sheets of paper each year.
- The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 entered into force on 11 February 2025 and began applying from 12 August 2026.
- The regulation requires packaging to be recyclable, reusable, or recoverable, and sets targets to cut packaging waste by 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040 compared with 2018 levels.
- The framework includes restrictions on PFAS in food-contact packaging and mandates that plastic packaging must contain recycled content.
- UK businesses exporting to the EU must ensure their packaging complies with the new requirements.
What businesses should consider in response to these changes
If you export to the EU, review your packaging against the new requirements. Assess whether your materials are recyclable, reusable, or recoverable under the regulation. Identify any PFAS or other restricted substances in your packaging. If necessary, engage suppliers to source compliant alternatives.
Consider the timeline carefully. The regulation is already in force. Redesigning packaging and updating supply chains can take months. Starting early reduces the risk of non-compliance and may lower costs by avoiding rush orders or last-minute changes.
Look beyond compliance at commercial opportunities. Packaging that meets the new standards may appeal to buyers who prioritise sustainability. Public sector tenders increasingly include environmental criteria. Demonstrating compliance early could strengthen your position in competitive bids.
Internally, consider whether digital tools could improve efficiency in your operations. The easyJet example shows that digitalisation can reduce waste, lower emissions, and cut costs without requiring major capital investment. Identify processes where better data sharing or communication could reduce resource use or improve accuracy.
Finally, track regulatory developments in other markets. The EU regulation reflects a wider trend toward circular economy policies. Similar requirements may emerge in the UK or other markets. Investing in sustainable packaging and efficient processes now may reduce future costs as standards converge.
For support with ESG compliance and carbon reporting, or with sustainable procurement in your supply chain, we work with UK businesses to manage regulatory requirements and reduce environmental impact. Our net-zero program includes carbon reporting support and PPN 06/21 compliance for public sector suppliers.
Where to find official guidance and further information
The European Commission provides detailed guidance on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 on its waste and recycling pages. The full text of the regulation is available on EUR-Lex, the EU's official legislative database.
For UK businesses exporting to the EU, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs offers guidance on product standards and environmental regulations. The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply publishes resources on sustainable procurement and supply chain compliance on its website.
For information on digital efficiency improvements in aviation, the International Air Transport Association provides updates on operational best practices and emissions reduction initiatives. UK businesses seeking to reduce emissions through digital transformation can also consult the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for guidance on energy efficiency and carbon reduction.