Sustainability starts in everyday life. More precisely: with single-use plastic. That is why the EU states are working to make renewable and reusable alternatives the norm in order to avoid new plastic. And this is urgently needed: already today we find plastic not only in the form of rubbish in the ocean and animal carcasses, but also as microplastics in our food chain. Following the EU-wide ban on single-use plastic for disposable tableware, which has already come into force, restaurateurs will be obliged to offer reusable alternatives from 2023. Find out here what exactly is on the EU plastic ban list and what alternatives hotels, caterers, restaurants, food retailers & co. can use to do without plastic products and make their contribution to more sustainability.

Tip: You can find even more information about sustainable plastic alternatives in our guide.

EU-wide plastic ban: Which products are affected?

Since 3 July 2021, manufacturers are no longer allowed to sell some disposable products made of plastic and expanded polystyrene (known by the trade name Styrofoam) in EU countries. This is to save plastic waste. However, there are suitable alternatives for the products concerned. Specifically affected by the ban are:

• Drinking straws made of plastic or bioplastics
• Plates and soup bowls made of plastic or bioplastics
• Cutlery and stirrers made of plastic or bioplastics
• Menu packaging, cups and plates made of expanded polystyrene
• Cotton buds and balloon sticks made of plastic or bioplastics¹

Biobased plastics may have certain advantages over fossil-based plastics, but the environmental damage remains the same: Biodegradable plastics only degrade under very specific conditions. These can certainly be achieved in special composting plants, but degradation in the environment and especially in the oceans is not guaranteed. The fact that a plastic is biodegradable, i.e. that it can be completely metabolised by microorganisms and fungi, therefore says nothing about the conditions under which this process takes place and over what period of time. The specification as "compostable", on the other hand, describes materials that degrade under certain conditions in a composting system within a given time.

For biodegradability, the origin of the raw materials does not play a role - instead, the chemical structure is decisive. Bioplastics do not have to be biobased and biodegradable at the same time. The terms are neither legally protected nor uniformly defined.³

In future, consumers will have a choice: from 2023, the state will require to-go providers to offer reusable solutions for take-away food and drinks in addition to conventional packaging. This was decided by the Federal Cabinet with an amendment to the Packaging Act. This will not ban menu boxes and other disposable packaging, but at least consumers will be able to decide for themselves which alternative they choose. Reusable alternatives must not be more expensive than food and beverages in disposable packaging. In addition, reusable cups must be available for every size offered.

Snack bars, kiosks and late-night shops with a shop area of up to 80 square metres and a maximum of five employees are exempt from the obligation. However, vendors must accept reusable containers from their customers.⁴ The ordinance is expected to come into force on 1 January 2023.

Taking responsibility with resource-saving alternatives

The EU-wide ban on single-use plastic was an important step towards conscientious use of packaging, cutlery, plastic dishes, menu boxes and other disposable products. Renewable alternatives save CO2 compared to plastic items, they reduce waste pollution and thus contribute to environmental and climate protection. However, it is not only the legislator who is demanding a rethink from restaurants, food retailers and the like: more and more consumers are also attaching importance to sustainable alternatives: According to the Ipsos study of 20197 , a clear majority of consumers expect products with as little packaging waste as possible. In Germany, 77 per cent of respondents said they wanted such products. What's more, three quarters of respondents worldwide prefer companies that specifically address the issue of sustainability. In Germany, the figure was 76 percent. A general ban on single-use plastic articles is supported by 71 percent of the respondents worldwide. To sustainably reduce our waste production, we need to act now.

FAQ on the EU plastic ban

What is covered by the EU plastic ban?

The EU plastic ban covers various plastic items and other single-use plastic products that are relevant for the catering industry, among others. These include plastic plates, cutlery and drinking straws, but also cups and menu boxes made of polystyrene.