Ketchup packets next in line as Czechia adopts EU single-plastics squeeze

The European Union (EU) is taking a significant step towards reducing plastic waste by eliminating single-use plastics by 2030. This move follows a regulation adopted late last year to reduce packaging waste, improve recycling, and minimize environmental impact across the bloc.

How will this look for consumers in Czechia? The latest rules will target various types of single-use plastic packaging, including those used for packaging fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kilograms, food containers including individual servings of sauces and condiments, and single-use plastic toiletries found in hotels.

Transport packaging, where goods from an e-shop are delivered in a mass of plastic wrapping that is bulkier than the contents themselves, is also set to be reduced.

“The goal is to cut packaging waste by 15 percent by 2040 and reduce material volume,” said Veronika Krejčí, spokesperson for the Czech Ministry of the Environment. This is expected to curb unnecessary vehicle trips, improving both environmental and economic efficiency.

The regulation includes mandatory labeling of packaging materials for easier recycling and a phased introduction of mandatory deposits for PET bottles and cans. EU member states must collect at least 90 percent of these by 2029, with an interim goal of 80 percent by 2026.

In the Czech Republic, plans are underway for a deposit system to launch in 2027, with consumers paying a refundable four-crown fee per unit.

This regulation builds on the EU’s ban on single-use plastic products like straws and cutlery, which took effect in 2021. Since last year, consumers may have noticed, for example, PET bottles with attached caps.

While many businesses are preparing for the changes, challenges remain. Critics argue that banning single-use packaging may lead to food waste, as portion control becomes more difficult. Hoteliers and manufacturers have expressed concerns about the practicality of the measures.

Some industry groups are preparing lawsuits against the regulation, citing its complexity and questioning its legality. “Quality legislation should not require 331 pages of rules,” said Petr Havelka, executive director of the Czech Waste Management Association, speaking to Novinky.cz.

However, proponents highlight that the regulation aligns with global sustainability trends.

Every Czech produced an average of 26 kilograms of plastic packaging waste in 2022. The average for the entire European Union was even ten kilograms higher.