The European Union announced that, starting in mid-2026, hotels, restaurants, and cafes throughout EU member states will no longer offer certain products in single-use packaging — a major step forward in the bloc's waste-reduction strategy.
According to Diario Sur, the measure stems from the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which targets disposable plastics considered harmful to the environment. The ban affects individual containers of milk and sugar, portions of jam, butter, and sauces, as well as small bottles of shampoo and shower gel commonly found in hotel rooms.
The EU continues to push to eliminate single-use plastics that take centuries to decompose, leaching harmful chemicals into soil and water. Removing these items from hotels and restaurants will help prevent millions of containers from entering landfills and oceans.
Hotels and restaurants will need to transition to shared containers and refillable dispensers. While this will require more of an upfront investment, many establishments are also discovering long-term savings via reduced purchasing needs and waste management expenses.
Similar initiatives are taking hold worldwide. New York recently banned hotels from offering tiny plastic bottles, benefitting both travelers and residents by reducing plastic waste that pollutes waterways and harms wildlife and human health. California's plastic bag ban, meanwhile, has already helped prevent millions of bags from polluting the planet.
There have been mixed reactions to the EU's announcement. While environmental advocates celebrated the move, some industry representatives expressed their concerns.
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"Eliminating individual portions of jam or butter means that guests will have to use shared containers," a hospitality representative noted, per the article.
Critics also argued that the change creates operational challenges. "The new rules will not lead to a real reduction in waste, but will only cause logistical difficulties," a person in the hospitality sector was quoted as saying.
However, as the implementation date approaches, the hospitality sector has an opportunity to lead by example in sustainable practices. Many forward-thinking establishments are already discovering innovative solutions to enhance guest experiences that also protect the environment.
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