New EU rules: These types of packaging will be banned
Stricter European Union packaging rules have come into force, bringing major changes aimed at cutting packaging waste. The new regulations target excessive packaging, harmful chemicals and unnecessary single-use products.
The EU’s goal is to significantly reduce packaging waste and ensure that packaging is largely recyclable by 2030. New limits on PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals used in some food packaging, are already taking effect. These substances are highly persistent in the environment and some PFAS have been linked to serious health risks.
Consumers will also notice changes in online shopping. Under the new rules, packages must not contain excessive empty space, with no more than 50 percent of the package allowed to be empty. The EU says this should reduce unnecessary packaging material and waste from deliveries.
Some familiar packaging products are set to disappear completely from 2030. These include small ketchup sachets commonly found in fast-food restaurants, plastic nets used for citrus fruits and miniature shampoo bottles provided by hotels.
The rules also push businesses toward greater use of recycled and recyclable materials. By 2029, all EU member states are expected to introduce deposit-return systems for disposable plastic and metal beverage containers. This means consumers will increasingly pay a deposit when buying certain drinks and receive it back when they return the empty container.
Reusable packaging is another major focus. New requirements encourage reusable glass bottles for products such as vinegar and oil, as well as reusable glass containers for preserved foods. Consumer protection groups have welcomed the measures, arguing that they could help reduce the growing amount of packaging waste.
Businesses, however, have criticized the new regulations, saying they are complicated and that companies need clearer guidance on how to comply. The EU sees the measures as another major step in its broader campaign against plastic waste and toward its goal of climate neutrality by 2050.