Less and less single-use plastic – Restaurants, shops and events are preparing for reusable containers and filling customers' own take-away containers

(For customers.) In February next year, customers should be able to take their takeaway food or drink from a restaurant with them in a container they have brought themselves, if they wish. The reuse of packaging will also increase in the coming years. In 2030, operators such as restaurants, hotels and shops must aim to offer every tenth takeaway portion in reusable packaging. The takeaway food sector, event organisers and shops are now preparing to reduce and replace single-use containers with refillable and reusable containers. More action towards the commitment The requirements come from legislation. The SUP Directive on single-use plastic products requires an ambitious and permanent reduction of certain plastic products such as drinking cups, boxes and food packaging intended for immediate consumption. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), in turn, requires measures to reduce packaging waste. Certain single-use packaging will be banned completely. Finland has been striving for increasingly stringent targets, for example through a voluntary green deal agreement, which concerns reducing the consumption of plastic, single-use portion packaging. The green deal agreement between the Ministry of the Environment, the Food Industry, the Finnish Tourism and Restaurant Services Association MaRa, the Grocery Store and the Finnish Packaging Association has found good ways to reduce consumption, but additional measures are needed for Finland to reach its targets. The Ministry of the Environment is encouraging operators to raise their targets to be even more ambitious. “Over the years, great progress has been made...