The EU has approved a ban on single-use plastic packaging starting in 2030

It's a small step for man and a giant step for the planet! On Monday, March 4, the European Union voted to ban single-use plastic packaging starting January 1, 2030. This part of the "Green Deal" comes at a time when Europe has never produced as much packaging waste: 188.7 kg per European in 2021.

Il y a 4 ans, la Commission proposait la première Loi Climatique européenne 🇪🇺

Celle-ci traduit en droit l'objectif clé du #PacteVert 🌱 : faire de l'Europe le 1er continent neutre pour le climat au monde d'ici à 2050 🌍

Cet objectif reste notre priorité ↓#UnionEnAction
— Commission européenne 🇪🇺 (@UEFrance) March 4, 2024

The end of plastic

What does this mean exactly? It means the end of single-serve sauce packets, shampoo bottles in hotels, single-use plastic containers in cafes or restaurants, or even polystyrene packing "chips." The goal is to reduce waste generated by packaging by 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040. The measure also includes a ban on using PFAS, also known as forever pollutants, in food packaging starting in 2026.

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Une publication partagée par Toute L’Europe (@touteleurope.eu)

A Measure to Consider

While this decision marks a true ecological turning point, it still needs to be considered. It only applies to food and beverages consumed on-site, and paper and cardboard packaging are not affected. For take-out orders, the latter are still preferred, as fast-food giants wanted, arguing that they are easier to recycle and require less water and energy than reusable containers.