France is adjusting the timetable for reducing plastic in disposable cups: With a new decree, the Ministry of the Environment is postponing the complete absence of plastic, originally planned for 2026, to 1 January 2030 in response to technical implementation problems, according to reports.
The decree published in the Journal officiel on 30 December 2025 changes the previous regulation on the maximum amount of plastic permitted in disposable cups. The new deadline replaces the previous requirement that disposable cups should be completely plastic-free from 1 January 2026. The decision was based on an interim report carried out in 2025 on the technical feasibility of alternative materials.
Technical feasibility as a decisive factor
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the planned evaluation report showed that a complete substitution of plastic in the disposable cups, which are still permitted, would not be technically feasible by 2026. Against this background, the deadline was postponed to 1 January 2030. At the same time, the amended decree provides for a further interim report in 2028 to review the progress made in material substitution.
Adjustments to transitional periods and portfolio reduction
The deadline extension is also accompanied by changes to transitional and sales regulations. For example, the stock clearance period for manufactured or imported disposable cups will be extended once the new target has been reached. Instead of the previous six months, a twelve-month sell-off period is now envisaged. The decree applies to all companies that manufacture, distribute or provide disposable cups made of plastic or with plastic components as part of their business activities.
The decree enters into force on the day following its publication and implements Article L. 541-15-10 of the French Environmental Code. It was issued jointly by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of the Economy and Finance.
Source: Le Journal officiel de la République française
