Ban coming for plastic bags, cling film, and single-use packaging! The date has been set
The EU is entering a new era starting with PFAS restrictions to reduce packaging waste; many single-use products in markets, restaurants, and hotels will be phased out.
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New rules aimed at reducing packaging waste in the European Union will begin to be implemented in phases starting August 12, 2026. The first step will be restrictions on the use of substances known as PFAS in food packaging, which are described as "forever chemicals" due to their long-term persistence in nature.
The fact that an average of 177.8 kilograms of packaging waste is generated per person annually in the EU is cited as one of the main justifications for the regulation. The new rules will affect not only manufacturers but also supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, hotels, airports, and the daily habits of consumers.
BANS WILL EXPAND GRADUALLY
While restrictions on the use of PFAS in food packaging will be introduced starting August 12, the previous ban on the use of the harmful substance Bisphenol A (BPA) will also continue. However, it is stated that the exemption granted for certain coatings used to extend the shelf life of canned fruit, vegetables, and fish will last until July 2028.
The new packaging regime will not be implemented on a single date, but rather in a phased manner. Starting February 12, 2027, cafes and restaurants will be required to offer customers the option to bring their own coffee mugs or food containers. On February 12, 2028, chain restaurants and cafes will become obligated to offer reusable cups instead of single-use products; small businesses will be exempt from this requirement.
Starting February 12, 2029, fast food and takeout containers made of polystyrene foam will be banned. On the same date, the practice of wrapping luggage with cling film at airports will also come to an end.
VISIBLE CHANGE IN MARKETS AND RESTAURANTS
The most comprehensive part of the regulations will come into effect in 2030. From this date on, lightweight plastic bags provided at checkouts, as well as certain plastic nets, bags, and boxes used for fresh fruits and vegetables, will be included in the scope of the ban. Plastic films that hold multiple beverage cans or bottles together will also not be permitted; exceptions may be applied in cases where transport is mandatory.
Single-use plastic packaging used for on-site consumption in restaurants and cafes will also be removed as of 2030. Single-use sugar, salt, ketchup, and mayonnaise packets found on tables will fall under the ban. However, the use of these products will be permitted for takeout orders.
Small plastic shampoo and soap packaging in hotels will also be banned under the new rules. The use of packaging produced from paper and other alternative materials will be allowed to continue.
EU member countries will also be required to establish a deposit system for single-use plastic bottles and beverage cans. Starting in 2030, the sale of packaging that is less than 70 percent recyclable will not be permitted.
The ultimate goal of the regulation is to reduce packaging waste by at least 15 percent by 2040 compared to 2018 levels. According to Eurostat data, while packaging waste in the EU continued an upward trend until 2021, it recorded a decline in the following two years.