Sauce pods, mini-shampoos, fruit bags, boxes that are too big… these packaging that must disappear from our daily lives

Les dosettes de sauces dans la restauration sont notamment visées. MAXPPP – GAETAN BALLY

The European Union (EU) has reached a provisional agreement on a new law to reduce packaging and ban single-use plastics.

The European Union (EU) has reached a provisional agreement on a new law to reduce packaging and ban single-use plastics, such as supermarket bags for fruit and shampoo bottles in hotels and sauce pods, although with exemptions for certain sectors, notably for camembert packaging.

The European Commission has proposed in 2022 an overhaul of the rules governing packaging, the number of which in the EU has increased by more than 20% over the last decade, driven by online shopping and the rise of takeaway sales.

What changes

Each European generates nearly 190 kg of packaging waste per year. Catering, packages delivered… The European Parliament and Belgium, which has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU for six months since the beginning of January, finally agreed on Monday evening on packaging reduction targets of 5%. ;by 2030 and 15% by 2040, as well as the fact that all packaging must be recyclable by 2030.

Until then, a ban will apply to single-use plastic items such as disposable plates, cups and boxes used in fast food. The ban will also concern shrink films for suitcases in airports and light bags, identical to those offered in grocery stores.

Bottle reuse objectives

The “chemicals for life” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS) will also be prohibited in packaging in contact with food.

The EU will also apply reuse objectives, particularly for takeaway packaging and beverage containers, with the exception of those for wine or milk. Cardboard will also be exempt, as requested by countries like Finland.

Note that the objectives as a whole will not apply to very small businesses. The agreement, which will have to be approved by the European Parliament and member states, also provides that empty space should not represent more than 50% of packaged goods. This should put an end to oversized boxes for home deliveries.