France: reusable tableware and the AGEC law

At a glance

France was early: the anti-waste law for a circular economy (loi AGEC, 2020) already requires reusable tableware for eating in. From 2027 the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) adds obligations for takeaway. The key dates:

• 1 January 2021: customers may bring their own clean, reusable container.
• 1 January 2023: reusable tableware for food and drinks consumed on the premises in restaurants with at least 20 seats.
• 2027: at least 10 percent of packaging placed on the market must be reused (decree 2022-507).
• 12 February 2028: a reusable option for takeaway becomes mandatory EU-wide.
• 1 January 2030: EU-wide ban on single-use plastic packaging for eating in. Target: 10 percent of takeaway products in reusable packaging.

This guide summarises the rules in plain language and is not legal advice. The legal texts and your local authority are binding.

France: what the AGEC law requires

Eating in: reusable tableware

Since 1 January 2023, restaurants that can serve at least 20 people at the same time must serve meals and drinks consumed on the premises in reusable tableware: cups, lids, plates, containers and cutlery. The rule mainly affects fast-food chains, which had relied on single-use packaging.

Takeaway and customers' own containers

There is no general reusable obligation for takeaway in France yet. Customers may, however, have food and drinks served in a clean container they bring themselves, and sellers of takeaway drinks must offer a lower price in that case. Cities such as Paris fund the switch to reusable takeaway packaging.

Reuse quotas for packaging

Companies that place packaged products on the French market must raise the share of reused packaging step by step to 10 percent in 2027 (decree 2022-507). Large companies with over 50 million euros turnover started at 5 percent in 2023, smaller ones from 2025 or 2026.

Controls and sanctions

Breaches can lead to a formal notice from the authorities and to administrative fines.

EU: what the Packaging Regulation (PPWR) changes

The PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) has applied since 12 August 2026 and applies directly in France. For takeaway it is the bigger change: from 2028 a reusable option becomes mandatory. Overview of all countries

From 12 February 2027: customers' own containers

Takeaway businesses must let customers have their own containers filled, at no extra charge and on conditions no worse than for single-use.

From 12 February 2028: a reusable option for everyone

For cold and hot drinks and for takeaway meals, a reusable packaging option must be offered within a working reuse system. It must not cost more than single-use, and it must be clearly advertised at the point of sale. By 2030, businesses should aim to sell 10 percent of their takeaway products in reusable packaging.

From 1 January 2030: bans for hospitality

Food and drinks served for consumption on the premises may no longer be offered in single-use plastic packaging. Single-use plastic portion packs, for example for sugar, coffee creamer or sauces, will also be banned for consumption on the premises.

Who is exempt?

Micro-enterprises under the EU definition, with fewer than ten employees and no more than 2 million euros annual turnover or balance sheet total, are exempt from the PPWR offer obligations. The French AGEC rules continue to apply, including for small restaurants with 20 seats or more.

Checklist for your business

• Count your seats. From 20 places, reusable tableware is mandatory for eating in.
• Plan dishwashing. Reusable tableware needs washing capacity and enough stock for peak times.
• Choose a reuse system for takeaway. A pool system or your own deposit containers, ready by February 2028.
• Plan the return. Where do customers drop off containers, and who pays out the deposit?
• Accept customers' own containers. Set hygiene rules and brief your team.
• Use funding. Cities and regions, for example Paris and Île-de-France, subsidise reusable equipment.
• Measure usage. With the 10 percent target for 2030 in mind, track how many containers go out and come back.

The bottleneck: returns

Reuse only pays off when containers come back often and quickly. In many businesses, returns still go over the counter: staff take containers back, check them, pay out the deposit and store them, often right in the lunchtime rush.

A return machine takes over this step. It recognises containers by AI image recognition, QR code or RFID, accepts them around the clock and pays out the deposit automatically. Because one CircleCube works with several reuse systems, you do not need a separate return point for each system. Examples in daily use are the Viktualienmarkt in Munich and the Mainz wine market.

Talk to us about your location

Sources

• AGEC law no. 2020-105 (Légifrance, French)
• Decree 2022-507 on minimum shares of reused packaging (French)
• City of Paris: switching to reusable packaging (French)
• Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR)

As of October 2026.