In March last year, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to ban the use of single-use plastics. From June 3, 2021, single-use plastic products such as plastic tableware, straws, balloon sticks, and oxidatively degradable plastic food containers are banned. According to the content of the proposal, the recycling rate of plastic bottles in EU member states must reach the target value of 90% by 2029, plastic bottles must contain at least 25% renewable content by 2025, and 30% by 2030. The EU hopes to pass the bill to ease the growing problem of marine pollution.
Recently, the Federal Environment Minister Schulze (Svenja Schulze) announced in an interview with the media to amend the current German Packaging Act. According to the new amendment, in the future, paper cups and plastic bags, which are widely used in the catering industry, will be replaced by reusable and environmentally friendly products. In addition, Germany will further expand the implementation of the beverage packaging deposit system.
Schultzer pointed out that whether it is a coffee shop or a restaurant, as long as they provide beverage or food take-out services, they must use reusable utensils, which will greatly reduce the generation of excess waste. "People are used to throwing away when they're finished, and now we have to put in place effective legislation to get everyone off this wasteful habit," he said.
The new amendment stipulates that snack bars with a business area of no more than 50 square meters and less than 3 employees are not subject to the Act, however, businesses are encouraged to put products in their own can if customers voluntarily. Sold in reusable cutlery. Food that can only be sold in tinfoil packaging is also outside the scope of the ban. At present, the draft amendment has been submitted to the relevant industry associations, and the details of the specific regulations are yet to be further determined.
In addition, Germany will also eliminate the remaining single-use beverage packaging. Consumers must pay a deposit for bottles of beverages such as juice, wine, champagne, mixed drinks and spirits. According to the amendments, from 2025, all plastic bottles with a capacity of less than 3 liters must contain at least 25% renewable content. In 2030, the proportion of recycled content must reach 30%.
According to reports, the latest amendments to the German Packaging Law are in line with the relevant EU packaging laws, and some regulations are even more stringent. The federal environment ministry expects the amendments to come into force as early as next summer, but must be approved by the federal cabinet and the Bundestag before then.
Recently, the Federal Environment Minister Schulze (Svenja Schulze) announced in an interview with the media to amend the current German Packaging Act. According to the new amendment, in the future, paper cups and plastic bags, which are widely used in the catering industry, will be replaced by reusable and environmentally friendly products. In addition, Germany will further expand the implementation of the beverage packaging deposit system.
Schultzer pointed out that whether it is a coffee shop or a restaurant, as long as they provide beverage or food take-out services, they must use reusable utensils, which will greatly reduce the generation of excess waste. "People are used to throwing away when they're finished, and now we have to put in place effective legislation to get everyone off this wasteful habit," he said.
The new amendment stipulates that snack bars with a business area of no more than 50 square meters and less than 3 employees are not subject to the Act, however, businesses are encouraged to put products in their own can if customers voluntarily. Sold in reusable cutlery. Food that can only be sold in tinfoil packaging is also outside the scope of the ban. At present, the draft amendment has been submitted to the relevant industry associations, and the details of the specific regulations are yet to be further determined.
In addition, Germany will also eliminate the remaining single-use beverage packaging. Consumers must pay a deposit for bottles of beverages such as juice, wine, champagne, mixed drinks and spirits. According to the amendments, from 2025, all plastic bottles with a capacity of less than 3 liters must contain at least 25% renewable content. In 2030, the proportion of recycled content must reach 30%.
According to reports, the latest amendments to the German Packaging Law are in line with the relevant EU packaging laws, and some regulations are even more stringent. The federal environment ministry expects the amendments to come into force as early as next summer, but must be approved by the federal cabinet and the Bundestag before then.