EU Packaging Regulation: Disposable items will soon be taboo in hotels and restaurants!

EU Packaging Regulation: Disposable items will soon be taboo in hotels and restaurants!

The EU packaging regulation, which will soon come into force, aims to combat the throwaway mentality in Europe. Disposable items such as ketchup packets or mini shampoo bottles should be banned from restaurants and hotels in order to significantly reduce waste production. The regulations are part of a comprehensive initiative that aims to reduce packaging waste by 15 percent by 2040 compared to 2018. The first regulations will come into force on August 12, 2026, with companies having until 2030 to adapt their processes.

How derwesten.de reported, the regulation also includes banning harmful PFAS chemicals in packaging. From January 1, 2030, single-use plastic packaging for sauces may no longer be used in the catering industry. Hotels must also remove mini cosmetic bottles with a volume of less than 50 milliliters. Fruit and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kilograms will no longer be allowed to be packaged in plastic in the future.

New focus on reuse and recycling

The EU not only pursues the goal of avoiding waste, but also wants to stimulate the circular economy. A European Parliament resolution, adopted with 476 votes for and 129 against the new regulations, stipulates that waste volumes will be reduced by 5 percent by 2030, by 10 percent by 2035 and by 15 percent by 2040. Europarl.eu highlights that Member States will be obliged to produce less plastic packaging waste.

Restaurateurs are recommended to use refillable dispensers or recyclable packaging. They must also offer discounts until 2028 if customers bring their own containers for take-away meals. The new regulations aim to increase recycling rates and limit the amount of empty space in outer packaging to a maximum of 50 percent.

Obligations for companies

Companies that manufacture or import packaging must carry out a conformity assessment procedure that demonstrates their compliance with the new requirements. It is necessary that packaging is clearly identifiable and provided with information about the manufacturer, either through classic information or QR codes. This is intended to ensure transparency and traceability, as well as compliance with strict recycling requirements for all packaging, with the exception of certain materials.

While the regulation sets clear guidelines for the industries, it also sets a target for the reuse of packaging: by 2030, 10 percent of products should be offered in reusable packaging. Rapporteur Frédérique Ries emphasizes the importance of these regulations for consumer health and supporting innovation.

Overall, the new regulation represents a significant step towards sustainably reducing packaging waste in Europe and gives consumers hope for a more environmentally friendly future.