Which items are affected by the reusable packaging law?

The new reusable packaging law aims to reduce the use of disposable packaging and promote the use of reusable packaging. However, the question arises as to which items are actually affected by the reusable packaging requirement. You can find some information about this in this article.

Reusability requirement - What does reusability mean and which packaging is affected?

From 2023, restaurants, bistros, cafés and delivery services that sell take-away meals or to-go drinks will be required by law to offer their customers at least one reusable packaging as an alternative to disposable plastic packaging. In the context of the reusable packaging law, this refers to certain reusable products used in the catering and retail sectors. However, not all items are automatically subject to the reusable packaging requirement. The reusable packaging law does not provide an exhaustive list of affected items. According to the information, the reusable packaging requirement includes all packaging that is partially or entirely made of plastic. Even paper cups and similar packaging that at first glance look like pure cardboard are often coated with a plastic layer on the inside. Alternatives must also be offered for such packaging.

Do ice cream cups have to be reused?

Ice cream cups are generally not affected by the reusable requirement. However, regulations and requirements may apply to ice cream cups within the framework of the reusable law, as they often have a plastic layer. If your ice cream cups have a plastic layer, you should offer reusable alternatives.

Do pizza boxes have to be reused?

Pizza boxes are mainly used for transport. Pizza boxes often do not have a coating. Therefore, they do not necessarily fall under the reusable requirement. Nevertheless, it makes sense to use reusable packaging or environmentally friendly alternatives here too in order to minimize the environmental impact of less sustainable disposable boxes.

Overall, the reusable packaging law in the catering industry is mainly aimed at beverage cups and disposable packaging such as aluminum trays in order to reduce the use of disposable packaging. Ice cream cups and pizza boxes are not necessarily subject to the reusable packaging requirement, but they may be depending on the material composition. Relevant legal bases and the reusable packaging definition can be found in the Packaging Act (VerpackG), in particular in Section 6 Paragraph 4, which deals with the labeling of reusable packaging.