The Single Use Plastics legislation 2023 and 2024

Posted September 13, 2022

In 2021, the
SUP Legislation
entered into force, SUP stands for Single Use Plastics, or disposable plastic. As of July 1, 2023, the current SUP legislation will be expanded.

So in addition to the rules that already took effect in 2021, there are
additional measures
affected that will apply as of 2023. Below we will explain what the new legislation entails. First of all, it is also good to understand that a difference is going to be made between “consumption on the go” and “consumption on the premises.

Consumption on the go, meal delivery and takeout as of July 1, 2023

As of July 1, 2023, it is no longer permitted to provide disposable plastic or plastic-containing cups and meal containers free of charge for consumption on the go, or at pickup and delivery. However, on payment of a fee, this is still possible. Similar is the ban on free plastic bags, this is not a ban on plastic bags but only a ban on providing them free of charge and thus for the consumer and end user a disincentive policy.
In addition, it will be mandatory to offer ‘
reusable
‘ disposable cups and meal containers or allow customers to bring their own cup or container.
Of course, it remains possible to offer “non plastic” containing cups and meal containers free of charge for on-the-go, meal delivery and pickup, such as our
sugar cane menu containers.

On-site consumption as of January 1, 2024

Starting in January 2024, the rules will be expanded to include “on-site consumption. From then on, it will no longer be permitted to offer single-use plastic cups and food containers for “on-site consumption” such as in offices, company canteens but also during events. Not even for an additional fee. The rules also apply to single-use plastic cups and food containers made from biobased and biodegradable plastics. So all disposable plastic cups and food containers, including those with only a (bio)plastic coating, will then be prohibited for “on-site consumption” unless collection and high-quality recycling is ensured. This form of recycling is currently only possible at
PET Products
. Unfortunately, this is not yet possible for materials other than PET because food safety legislation does not allow ‘product to product’ recycling.

The Single Use Plastics legislation 2023 and 2024

So what packaging is still allowed?

Disposable cups and food containers that do not contain plastic at all are then still allowed for “consumption on the premises”. We will be expanding this range in the coming year to include various products without (bio) plastic coating. Products that are already allowed are, for example, all products made from sugar cane, wood or palm leaf.

Want to know more about this legislation? Take
then contact us
at.