Topic

Reuse, refill & reusable packaging

Packaging placed on the market from 11 February 2025 only counts as reusable if it meets all of the reusability criteria in Article 11 — designed for multiple rotations, safe repeated use, reconditionable, and recyclable at end of life. From 1 January 2030 binding reuse targets apply: 40% for transport and sales packaging used for transport, 10% for grouped packaging, and 10% for beverages in sales packaging; final distributors over 400 m² must give 10% of sales area to refill stations. From 2040 the targets rise to 70%, 25% and 40% on an endeavour basis. Hospitality operators must allow consumers' own containers from 12 February 2027 and offer a reusable take-away option from 12 February 2028.

What you must do

• Check whether any of your categories carries a reuse target and calculate your current share.
• Design or join a reuse or pooling system, including return, cleaning and tracking.
• Record rotations so you can evidence the achieved reuse share per year.

Dates that apply

• 12 February 2027Consumers' own containers in hospitality
• 12 February 2028Reusable take-away option offered
• 1 January 2030First reuse targets
• 1 January 2040Higher reuse targets (endeavour basis)

Source: Article 11 (reusable packaging), Articles 29, 32 and 33 (reuse, refill, take-away).