On 20 January 2021, the Federal Cabinet passed an amendment to the German Packaging Act (VerpackG). This affects manufacturers, distributors and online marketplaces, among others. We have summarised for you here when which changes will come into force.
3 July 2021
The manufacture and trade of disposable plastic products such as disposable cutlery, cotton buds and straws are prohibited. This also applies to to-go cups and disposable polystyrene food containers.
The ban on these single-use plastic products will apply across Europe from July 2021. Products made from oxo-degradable plastic will also be banned, as they do not decompose completely but break down into microplastics.
1 September 2021
The Central Agency Packaging Register publishes details on the minimum standard for assessing the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation.
1 October 2021
Producers of packaging subject to system participation can submit estimates of the various packaging fractions for the following year to the Packaging Register and the licensors.
1 January 2022
Higher recycling quotas apply to all material fractions. The Federal Government decides on the future handling of the ecological design of packaging. The transitional period for the plastic bag ban ends.
From 1 January 2022, single-use plastic drinks bottles (up to three litres) will generally be subject to a deposit. Beverage cans will also be subject to a deposit without exception. Beverage packaging already on the market may still be sold deposit-free until 1 July 2022 at the latest. From 2024, the mandatory deposit will also be extended to plastic bottles containing milk-based drinks. The deposit system for disposable drinks bottles ensures that they can be recycled. New bottles or textiles, for example, can be produced.
1 July 2022
Manufacturers of transport packaging and secondary packaging that is not used by private end consumers must register in the Lucid packaging register.
The deposit exemption for beverage containers already on the market ends.
1 January 2023
Retail and catering businesses must offer reusable options for take-away food and drinks in addition to disposable containers. Exception: businesses with an area of less than 80 square metres and a maximum of five employees.
1 January 2025
The German government will review the recovery and recycling rates within three years of 1 January 2022. One-way PET plastic drinks bottles must consist of 25 per cent recyclates.
31 December 2025
Higher recycling rates of 65 per cent by mass apply to all material fractions.
31 December 2030
Higher recycling rates of 70 per cent by mass apply to all material fractions.
All disposable plastic drinks bottles must consist of 30 per cent recycled material.
