Reusable packaging obligation for packaging filled at the stand, packaging register

From 01.01.2023, in accordance with Section 33 of the German Packaging Act (VerpackG), if the size of the stand exceeds 80 square meters or if there are more than five stand employees, visitors to the stand must be offered appropriate reusable alternatives for disposable plastic food packaging or disposable beverage cups filled on site at no extra charge. This must be indicated by clearly visible and legible information boards or signs, stating the following note: 'You get your food and drinks in reusable containers' | sign for you to download (JPG, 136 kB).

In the case of a smaller stand area and a maximum of 5 or fewer employees, in accordance with § 34 of the German Packaging Act (VerpackG), visitors to the stand may instead be offered the opportunity to fill the goods into reusable containers provided by themselves. This must be indicated by clearly visible and legible information boards or signs, stating the following note: ‘We fill reusable containers that you bring along’ | sign for you to download (JPG, 135 kB).

For distributors of packaging, there is a general obligation to register with the packaging register LUCID.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf Environmental and Nature Conservation Office:

T. +49 30 9029 188 31
F. +49 30 9029 188 48
Rudolf-Mosse-Str 9
14197 Berlin

Ordinance on the prohibition of the placing on the market of certain single-use plastic products and of products made of oxo-degradable plastic / Single-Use Plastic Prohibition Ordinance

Certain single-use plastic products may no longer be placed on the market by the manufacturers of these products as of July 3, 2021. The ban is stipulated by the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive 2019/904) and implemented 1:1 in Germany by the Single-Use Plastics Ban Ordinance (EWKVerbotsV). In particular, businesses that use the listed single-use plastic products in their to-go business and businesses with event business are thus directly affected by the new regulation. However, old stocks may continue to be sold after July 3, 2021.

The first-time provision of the following single-use plastic products, among others, has been prohibited since July 3, 2021:

Cutlery, especially forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks,
plates,
drinking straws,
stirrers,
Balloon sticks attached to balloons for stabilization, including their respective holding mechanisms,
Food containers made of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam), i.e. containers, such as boxes with or without lids, for foodstuffs that are intended to be consumed directly on site or to be taken away for consumption, are generally consumed out of the container and can be consumed without further preparation such as cooking, boiling or heating (="to-go"); beverage containers, beverage cups, plates as well as bags and film packaging, such as wrappers, containing foodstuffs are not food containers in this sense,
beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) including their closures and lids, and
Beverage cups made of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) including their closures and lids.

Further information can be found on the website of the BMUV and DEHOGA (german only).

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