Foto by Masha Kubyshina
Under new EU rules aimed at reducing plastic waste, single-use bags will be banned for diners, forcing the hospitality industry to rethink the approach to serving even the smallest extras. While it may seem like a small thing, this change will affect millions of meals every day.
The ban is part of the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), a long-planned reform to the use, reuse and recycling of packaging across the bloc.
Simply put, Brussels has decided that tiny plastic bags, often used once and thrown away, have become a symbol of unnecessary waste. According to EU data, single-use packaging still makes up a significant proportion of solid waste in Europe, and much of it is difficult to recycle.
Instead, businesses are expected to switch to reusable bottles, dispensers or containers. For many establishments, this means a marked change in table service and the way customers self-serve.
The development of this regulation took several years, but a final deadline of August 2026 has now been set. However, the use of disposable bags is still allowed for takeaway and delivery orders. The EU made an exception for food leaving the restaurant, citing hygiene and transportation considerations.
By 2030, the same EU rules will extend to other sectors, including the hospitality industry. This means that the familiar miniature bottles of shampoo and shower gel found in hotel bathrooms will also be phased out and replaced by reusable stationary dispensers.
