In France, Single-Use Packaging is Banned in Fast Food Restaurants

Of the 30,000 fast food restaurants and six billion meals served per year, two million tonnes of waste were generated in the country.

Diana Butron

Since January 1, 2023, the law banning single-use packaging in fast-food restaurants has been in effect, with the aim of reducing plastic and other types of waste in France. The use of throwaway boxes and single-use cutlery is now forbidden. The law applies to restaurants that can serve more than 20 customers at a time. These establishments must use reusable plates, cups, and cutlery. Additionally, eat-in burger and sandwich boxes must be replaced with paper wrappers.

It was assumed that most restaurants would opt for hard plastic instead of long-lasting materials like glass or porcelain. There were concerns about how well plastic materials would hold up when washed over time.

Environmental groups urged the French government to enforce the law through regular inspections and fines if necessary.

Complaints from the restaurant industry regarding the law include claims of significant losses, as customers would take their cups or containers with them or throw them in the trash out of habit. Furthermore, it was reported that staff workload increased, as reusable cups and plates need to be washed.

Customers of fast-food restaurants in France, however, were generally positive or indifferent toward the reusable packaging. According to a survey on McDonald's website, 83% of respondents approved of the new tableware at McDonald's France.

 

References

Packaging Gateway. (03.01.2023). France bans single-use packaging from fast-food restaurants. Packaging Gateway. https://www.packaging-gateway.com/news/france-plastic-ban-restaurant/

BBC. (02.01.2023) France bans throwaway fast food boxes, cups and packaging for restaurants. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/64126171

Cater, Leonie. (22.11.2023). Single-use fast-food packaging hangs in the balance. Político. https://www.politico.eu/article/single-use-fast-food-packaging-hang-balance/