The initial bans under the EU’s Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive (such as for plastic cutlery, plates, and straws) were just the beginning. The next major phase, driven primarily by the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), brings urgent, systemic changes for the foodservice sector, with key requirements taking effect around August 2026.
This forward-looking legislation shifts the focus from simple bans to mandated reuse, stricter material purity, and verifiable recyclability. Foodservice businesses must pivot now to ensure compliance and avoid severe financial penalties.
The Major Shifts in 2026 and Beyond
The key takeaway for 2026 is that the goal is no longer just to replace plastic—it’s to reduce all single-use packaging and fundamentally change what is acceptable as an alternative.
1. The Ban on PFAS in Food Contact Materials (August 2026)
This is one of the most immediate and critical changes for all foodservice operations:
- The Rule: Starting in August 2026, food contact packaging will be prohibited from containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) above extremely low limits. PFAS are often called „forever chemicals” and were traditionally used in fiber packaging to provide crucial oil and grease resistance.
- The Impact: Any current „eco-friendly” fiber food containers (like bowls or trays) that rely on PFAS for their leak-proof barrier will become illegal to place on the EU market.
- Your Action: Businesses must immediately audit their supply chain to ensure they are sourcing PFAS-free fiber packaging that uses safe, natural, plant-based barrier coatings. This is where high-purity, cellulose-based materials like Ecovive’s become essential.
2. Consumption Reduction Goals (2026 Baseline)
Member States must achieve a measurable reduction in the consumption of key single-use plastic products (cups and food containers) compared to a 2022 baseline.
- This target means national governments will continue to introduce or enforce measures like mandatory surcharges or restrictions to drive the shift toward reuse models in your local market.
The Mandate for Reuse and Refill
The biggest long-term change is the move away from single-use culture towards mandatory reuse options, affecting all restaurants, cafés, and caterers.
| Requirement | Timeline | Impact on Foodservice |
| „Bring Your Own Container” (BYOC) | By 2027 | Restaurants and cafés providing takeaway food or beverages must allow consumers to bring their own containers and cups for refills, at no additional cost. |
| Offer Reusable Packaging | By 2028 | Businesses providing takeaway must offer reusable packaging for takeaway items, at no extra cost to the consumer compared to single-use options. |
| On-Premises Ban | By 2030 | There is a planned ban on single-use packaging for food and beverages filled and consumed within premises in the hotel, restaurant, and catering sectors (e.g., disposable trays, plates, and cups). |
Your Action: Begin integrating a closed-loop reusable system now. This will likely involve partnering with a packaging pooling service or investing in your own durable container stock and a dishwashing solution.
The Future of Compostable Packaging
While the SUP Directive prioritizes reuse and recyclability, it also sets out new requirements for truly compostable materials.
1. Compostability Standards
Compostable packaging is not banned, but it is being reserved for specific applications where it makes the most sense (i.e., when heavily soiled with food waste).
- Industrial Standard: All compostable packaging must meet the standards for industrial composting (EN 13432).
- Targeted Use Cases: The PPWR is set to mandate compostability for specific small, food-soiled formats, such as non-permeable tea and coffee bags and single-serve coffee capsules by 2027.
2. The Focus on Mono-Material Purity
The new regulations prioritize packaging that is designed for material recycling by 2030.
- This makes materials like pure virgin cellulose packaging an ideal choice. Because it contains minimal or no complex plastic liners (unlike many multi-layer plastics or paper-plastic hybrids), it is easier to verify its composition and end-of-life pathway.
- Any packaging you use must be recyclable or compostable at scale—meaning the necessary infrastructure must actually exist. This pressures suppliers to prove their material isn’t just theoretically recyclable but practically processed across the EU.
Your 2026 Foodservice Checklist
To prepare for the next phase of EU regulation, take these three immediate steps:
- Stop PFAS: Immediately transition all fiber-based containers (bowls, trays) to certified PFAS-free alternatives to ensure market compliance by the August 2026 deadline.
- Plan for Reuse: Begin piloting a reusable takeaway system (whether in-house or via a third-party scheme) to prepare for the 2027/2028 mandates.
- Demand Purity: Scrutinize your supplier’s documentation to confirm that any single-use items you purchase are made of a pure, certified material (like pure cellulose) that is genuinely either recyclable or industrially compostable according to the highest EU standards.
Would you like to see a list of specific Ecovive products that meet the PFAS-free and mono-material standards for the 2026 deadline?
