Extra charges for single-use plastic packaging from 1 July

New rules on the use of disposable cups and trays containing plastic will come into force on 1 July 2023. Entrepreneurs will be required to charge their customers an extra fee for pre-packaged drinks in cups and single portion pre-packaged food in trays.

For packaged food and drinks at retail and kiosk, a customer will pay extra for disposable cups and trays containing pre-packaged food and drinks. This applies to food and drinks that can be eaten or drunk directly from the packaging. Examples include a cup of dairy, a tray of a meal salad, pre-packaged iced coffee or a single-serving bowl of vegetables, fruit, snack or ice cream.

The rules do not apply to cups and trays of pre-packaged food or drink that customers need to prepare further, for example reheating microwaveable meals, boiling or frying. Peeling and washing fruit and vegetables - such as a portion of snack vegetables in a form-fitting container - are not considered further preparation.

Which cups and containers are covered by the rules?

Single-use cups and containers containing plastic:

• Bio-plastics
• Added polymers to make them water- or fat-resistant
• Products with a plastic-free logo. This logo does not exclude the product from the regulations

For trays, additionally:

• The food does not need further preparation, such as boiling, thawing or heating.
• Trays containing pre-packed food: single portion only.
• Trays filled on site: no volume limit.

Which cups and trays are NOT covered by the rules?

• Reusable cups and trays, even if made of plastic.
• Flexible food packaging, such as pouches, foils and wrappers. Note that partly shape-retaining and partly flexible does fall under the regulations.
• Plastic-free materials, such as wood or paper to which no plastic has been added. Please note that aluminium has a high environmental impact and is therefore strongly discouraged.

Surcharge amounts

An entrepreneur may decide on the surcharge it charges for single-use cups or food packaging.

What should appear on the receipt?

The surcharge for plastic packaging must be shown separately on the receipt.

Who is the surcharge for?

The 'proceeds' of the surcharge may be invested by operators at their discretion in reusable alternatives for customers, the government says.

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