Recital 91

(91) In order to reduce the increasing proportion of packaging that is single-use and the growing quantities of packaging waste that are generated, it is necessary to establish quantitative re-use targets on packaging in sectors which have been assessed as having the greatest potential for packaging waste reduction, namely food and beverages for take-away, large-white goods and transport packaging. This was appraised based on factors such as existing re-use systems, necessity of using packaging and the possibility of fulfilling the functional requirements in terms of containment, tidiness, health, hygiene and safety. Differences of the products and their production and distribution systems were also taken into account. The implementation of such targets should take into account the environmental benefits achieved throughout the whole life-cycle of a product. The setting of the targets is expected to support innovation and increase the proportion of re-use packaging and refill solutions. Single-use plastic packaging for food and beverages filled and consumed within the premises in the HORECA sector should not be allowed. Consumers should always have the option to purchase food and beverages for take-away in reusable or their own containers under conditions that are no less favourable than those applicable to food and beverages offered in single-use packaging. Economic operators selling food or beverages for take-away should offer consumers the option to purchase the food or beverages in their own containers and the option to purchase food and beverages in reusable packaging.

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Source: EUR-Lex CELLAR · retrieved 2026-08-26 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.