Ban on disposable plastic: by July 1, 2023: What does this mean for your restaurant?

Posted on by Alex Ton
Ban on disposable plastic by 1-7-2023. What does this mean for your restaurant?

As of July 1, 2023, catering establishments may no longer provide free plastic containers for food and beverages for on-the-go, takeout and delivery. From 2024, this will also apply to on-site consumption. The purpose of this measure is to combat the use of disposable packaging and encourage recycling. What does this mean for you as a hospitality entrepreneur?

Why ban plastic packaging?

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important. In the Netherlands we throw away 19 million plastic cups and food packaging every day (KvK, 2023). This must change, according to State Secretary Heijnen (Environment), in order to keep the world livable for future generations. Therefore, there will be a ban on disposable plastic containers and cups. The measure aims to reduce the huge numbers of plastic products that are thrown away after single use. Incidentally, this is not the first measure to combat plastic (litter). As of January 1, 2016, stores are no longer allowed to provide free plastic bags. This measure has worked. In litter, the number of plastic bags has been reduced by 70 percent in five years. The goal of the new measure is to reduce the number of disposable plastic containers and cups by 40 percent by 2026. Thus, we are becoming more and more sustainable in the hospitality industry!

What packaging does this ban apply to?
Cups

The new rules apply to all plastic cups intended for one-time consumption. For example, for a coffee to go. This also applies to cups that are only partly made of plastic, for example coffee cups made of cardboard coated with plastic.” (CoC, 2023)

Trays

Plastic containers are also banned. These are containers from which you can eat directly, without having to heat or defrost them first. The packaging consists entirely or partially of plastic and is intended for single use. For example, a plastic French fry tray or a tray for meal salads. Also, portion packages containing nuts, vegetables and/or dairy products may no longer be made of plastic. Bags and wrappers are again not covered by the new regulations. The new rules also apply to packaging made of bioplastics. Bioplastics is biodegradable plastic or plastic from renewable resources. Trays with added polymers to make them water- or grease-resistant are also banned. (Chamber of Commerce, 2023)

 

Alternatives to disposable plastic containers and cups

For a catering establishment (and consumer), there are several alternatives to disposable plastic containers and cups. We list a few options.

 

Reusable packaging with or without a deposit

You can choose to replace single-use plastic packaging with reusable packaging. Switching to reusable packaging can be done in several ways. A good alternative is to charge consumers a deposit for the plastic containers when they are picked up or delivered. Hotel and restaurant owners can decide the amount they charge per disposable plastic cup or container. As guidelines, the government provides:

  • €0.25 for a cup
  • €0.50 for a meal (possibly with multiple trays)
  • €0.05 for pre-packaged small portions of vegetables, fruits, nuts and portion packs for e.g. toppings and sauce

The measures stem from the European Single Use Plastics Directive, which aims to reduce the impact of products containing plastic in the environment. (Central government, 2023)

Once customers return the packaging, they get the deposit back. You can also make the customer pay a fine afterwards if they do not return the packaging. Keep in mind, however, that seventy percent of people would rather pay a deposit while ordering than a fine afterwards (Chamber of Commerce, 2023).

 

Bring your own

Another option is for the customer to bring their own container or cup (bring your own). This is the cheapest and easiest way. The customer is responsible for the hygiene of the food from the moment he or she accepts the food in their own packaging. As a catering business owner, you may refuse a brought package if it does not look clean. Whichever option you go for: customers always have the right to bring their own cup or package.

 

Small surcharge for single-use plastic packaging

Sometimes you can’t escape using plastic containers. Catering establishments may (continue to) use certain plastic cups or containers as long as 75 to 90 percent of them are collected and reused. According to State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen (Environment), this is only allowed if “there really is no other way.” This can be done by separate collection in your sustainable restaurant with a return system, for example. This way the raw materials can be made into new cups and containers.

Surcharge must be listed separately on the receipt

 

Please state surcharge separately

As a business owner, you should list the surcharge for a cup and container containing plastic separately on the bill (less disposable plastic, 2023), so that it is clear to the customer how much extra they are paying for plastic. We recommend that you make a separate entry for this in the cash register, for example, “plastic product. You can keep the proceeds. You pay the high VAT rate on this. The profit can be used to purchase the mandatory reusable alternatives.

 

Calculate your costs

Reuse is more economical in the long run than disposable (CoC, 2023). After all, you only buy the packaging product once. After that, you can reuse the product again and again. Would you like to know which option is most profitable for you? Then use Recycling Network’s calculation tool. Here you can calculate the costs of different reusable options. The tool also gives a good impression of the environmental footprint. This allows you to test the sustainability of your restaurant.

How will the regulations be enforced?

The Environmental and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) will carry out regular inspections to ensure that companies, organizations and supermarkets comply with the rules. They do this by collecting signals, providing information and issuing warnings where necessary. Entrepreneurs who do not follow the rules risk a penalty payment (Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works, 2023)

Plastic-free disposable packaging

Don’t want to use recycling? Then you can also consider plastic-free disposable packaging. Discuss options for alternative plastic-free packaging with your packaging supplier first. They may have a plastic-free alternative in their product line.

 

  1. Paper or cardboard

Disposable cardboard packaging is widely used in eco hospitality, at events and also for takeout and delivery. Cardboard and paper come in many different shapes and sizes. Preferably though, go for packaging that is certified with the FSC® label.

 

  1. Cellulose-based mixing trays

Cellulose is a substance found in plants and wood. Cellulose is a good alternative to plastic. Cellulose is biodegradable according to DIN13432. Moreover, it is water-resistant thanks to its bio-coating and the material has thermal properties, making it also suitable for microwaves and ovens.

 

  1. Packing elephant grass

Elephant grass is a reed-like crop and a great alternative to plastic packaging. This material is easily used by industry on existing machinery. The fibers of elephant grass are called vibers. Vibers have a variety of ecological benefits. In fact, elephant grass absorbs four times more CO2 per hectare than a forest of trees (Change, 2023).

Note: Do you choose a plastic-free disposable alternative? Then you should always be able to offer the customer a reusable alternative as well.

Would you also like to use CashDesk ‘s delivery software in your restaurant? Then request a demo, or contact us!

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