EU Wants to Eliminate Condiment Packets By August 2026

By August 2026, it will be mandatory for restaurants to eliminate single-use plastic condiment packets, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, salt, and oil. This decision comes as part of a larger effort by the EU to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices. While the change may seem daunting for restaurateurs and consumers alike, it is a necessary step towards protecting the environment and creating a more eco-friendly future.

The use of single-use plastic condiment packets has become a common practice in fast food chains, restaurants, hotels, and bars. These convenient and practical packets have also made their way into ready-made meals sold in supermarkets. While initially met with hesitation by business owners, the switch to these packets was ultimately embraced for its convenience. Now, the EU is implementing a reverse process, making it mandatory for restaurants to find alternative, sustainable options by August 2026.

The Regulation (EU) 2025/40, also known as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Ppwr), has set a series of deadlines for businesses to phase out single-use plastic packaging. The first deadline is August 2026, when single-use plastic condiment packets must be eliminated from the hospitality and tourism sectors. This includes not only food items, but also personal hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, and soap. To comply with the new regulations, hotels and restaurants will need to find alternative, sustainable options, such as refillable dispensers.

The switch to more sustainable options may pose a challenge for the hospitality industry, particularly when it comes to items typically used in hotel rooms, such as glasses and plates. These will now have to be replaced with reusable options, which can be costly and also present potential issues with theft and damage. However, the use of refillable dispensers has already been successfully implemented in many establishments and has proven to be a more cost-effective and sustainable solution.

In addition to the hospitality and tourism sectors, the EU’s regulations will also extend to all food products by January 2030, and to all cosmetic and hygiene products by February 2032. These measures will be regularly evaluated to assess their impact on the environment and health. In the meantime, businesses across Europe are already working to find alternative, sustainable solutions in order to comply with the new regulations.

While the transition may present challenges, it is a necessary step towards a more sustainable future. As seen with previous bans on biodegradable plates and bottles with attached