Reuse rules in Europe: the PPWR and national laws at a glance
What applies to takeaway, canteens and hospitality in the EU and in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria and Spain. As of October 2026.
At a glance
Since 12 August 2026, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies in every EU country. It sets a common minimum for reuse. Several countries already go further today. The key dates:
- 12 August 2026: the PPWR applies across the EU.
- 12 February 2027: takeaway businesses must fill customers' own containers.
- 12 February 2028: a reusable option for takeaway food and drinks becomes mandatory.
- 1 January 2030: no single-use plastic packaging for food and drinks consumed on the premises. Target of 10 percent reuse for takeaway and beverages.
- 1 January 2040: the reuse target for beverages rises to 40 percent.
This guide summarises the rules in plain language and is not legal advice. The legal texts and your local authority are binding.
EU: what the Packaging Regulation (PPWR) requires
From 12 February 2027: customers' own containers
Businesses that sell takeaway food and drinks must fill containers that customers bring, at no extra charge and on conditions no worse than for single-use (Article 32 PPWR).
From 12 February 2028: a reusable option
Hot and cold drinks and ready-to-eat takeaway meals must also be offered in reusable packaging within a working reuse system. The reusable option must not cost more than single-use, it must be clearly advertised, and the packaging must be taken back (Article 33). From 2030, businesses should aim to sell 10 percent of their takeaway products in reusable packaging.
From 1 January 2030: bans and reuse targets
Single-use plastic packaging for food and drinks consumed on the premises is banned in hospitality, including canteens run by caterers (Annex V). Beverage distributors must offer at least 10 percent of their beverages in reusable packaging, rising to 40 percent by 2040 (Article 29).
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 takeaway offer obligations. National rules that go further, for example in Germany, France or the Netherlands, continue to apply.
Country overview: who already goes further
Many countries introduced their own reuse rules before the PPWR. They remain in force and often apply earlier or more strictly. The most important ones for hospitality:
Germany
Since 1 January 2023, takeaway businesses must offer every meal and drink in reusable packaging as well, at no higher price (Packaging Act, sections 33 and 34). Small businesses with up to five employees and 80 square metres fill customers' own containers instead. Fines of up to 10,000 euros. Read the guide for Germany
France
Since 1 January 2023, restaurants with at least 20 seats, fast-food chains included, must serve food and drinks for consumption on the premises in reusable tableware (AGEC law). Customers may bring their own containers, and companies must place a growing share of reusable packaging on the market, up to 10 percent in 2027. Read the guide for France
Netherlands
Since July 2023, takeaway businesses must offer a reusable option or fill customers' own containers. Since 1 January 2024, single-use cups and containers containing plastic are banned for consumption on the premises, also in offices, canteens and at closed events, unless 85 percent (2026) or 90 percent (2027) are collected for recycling. Read the guide for the Netherlands
Austria and Spain
Austria requires grocery stores over 400 square metres to offer beverages in reusable packaging and targets a reuse share of 25 percent in 2025 and 30 percent in 2030. Spain sets reuse quotas for beverages sold in hospitality, for example 80 percent for beer and 30 percent for water from 2025, rising further by 2030.
Checklist for operators in several countries
- Map your locations. Which national rules apply where, and which deadline comes first?
- Use the strictest rule as your standard. One reuse concept for all locations is easier to run than several.
- Choose systems that work across borders. Several pool systems operate in more than one country.
- Plan the return at every location. Where do containers come back, and who pays out the deposit?
- Allow customers' own containers. Everywhere in the EU by February 2027 at the latest.
- Check eating in. France and the Netherlands already restrict single-use on the premises; the whole EU follows in 2030.
- Measure reuse rates. The 10 percent targets from 2030 need data per location.
The bottleneck: returns
Whatever the country, reuse only pays off when containers come back quickly. Returns over the counter cost staff time, especially at lunchtime, in canteens and at events.
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 need one return point instead of one per system, in every country.
Further reading.
Why returns are the bottleneck of reuse
Insights
Reusable packaging only works when containers come back. Most reuse systems lose time and staff capacity at the return.
One machine for all reuse systems
Insights
Return machines tied to one system leave guests guessing. A neutral machine takes back containers from several systems at one point.
Reusable returns at the Viktualienmarkt
Case study
A unified reuse system takes back cups and bowls around the clock at return machines on Munich's Viktualienmarkt.