Prevention of packaging waste

Through our personal consumption habits (eating in restaurants or switching to reusable packaging), we can contribute to avoiding packaging waste, reducing resource consumption and protecting the environment.

To achieve this, raising awareness accordingly is essential. By providing fact sheets on single-use beverage cups, single-use food packaging and sustainable consumption, which were prepared on behalf of the BMLUK by the Federal Environment Agency, environmental/waste consultants and multipliers are to be supported in their educational work, and knowledge of the environmental impacts of consuming food and beverages in single-use packaging is to be strengthened.

The importance of reusable packaging is also being further strengthened at European level: The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) provides that catering establishments will in future be required to offer customers a reusable alternative for food and beverages to take away. From February 2027, the hospitality sector in the take-away area must offer the option of filling beverages and food into containers brought by customers. From February 2028, the hospitality sector in the take-away area must also offer beverages and food in reusable packaging (exception: micro-enterprises). At the point of sale, customers must be informed of the option of taking food and beverages away in reusable packaging (clearly visible and legible notices). The BMLUK provides posters for download for this purpose. The aim is to significantly reduce the amount of single-use packaging and promote reusable systems in the take-away sector.