EU Targets Single-Use Sauce Packets in New Waste Reduction Rules

(MENAFN) The European Union will ban the use of single-use condiment sachets in dine-in restaurants starting August 12, as part of new environmental rules aimed at reducing plastic waste across the bloc.

According to reports, the restriction covers individual packets of items such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and soy sauce, which will no longer be permitted for customers eating on-site in restaurants and similar establishments.

The measure falls under the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which came into force in February 2025 and will begin full implementation across member states this summer.

Under the new framework, restaurants will be required to replace disposable sachets with more sustainable alternatives, including refillable dispensers, reusable containers, or table-service bottles.

EU officials said the policy is designed to reduce packaging waste and promote a shift toward a more circular economy. They noted that packaging accounts for roughly 40% of plastic use within the EU, while average packaging waste per person reached 186.5 kilograms in 2022. The bloc has also set a broader goal of reducing per-capita packaging waste by 15% between 2026 and 2040.

The new restrictions apply specifically to dine-in services, meaning single-use condiment packets will still be allowed for takeaway meals and supermarket products. Healthcare facilities are also exempt from the regulation.

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