Single-use plastic products have been banned since July 3rd.
But saying goodbye to plastic is long and complicated.
An inventory.
District - “Fast food packaging, drinking straws, to-go cups: many single-use plastic products have been banned in the EU since July 3rd.
Actually.
On the one hand, stocks of single-use plastic can be sold right up to the last salad bowl.
On the other hand, there are exceptions - for plastic products for which there is currently no meaningful substitute on the market.
The situation is still a bit complicated, ”says Anton Huber, junior boss of the butcher's shop with a hotel and a large takeaway counter on Moosburger Viehmarktplatz. “The suppliers of our to-go packaging have assured us that the materials used are not subject to the change in the law.” However, the 38-year-old does not want to rely entirely on this statement. "In the long term we have to change something anyway, because plastic is processed in all possible areas - and the raw material crude oil is now finite." So Huber recently found out about alternatives together with other local restaurateurs during an industry exchange at a local packaging retailer. “The company SWS Schüler is currently trying to develop a gastro cycle concept for Moosburg (see report in the box). That sounds promising",says Huber. If enough would participate, it should, in his opinion, become well established. “We would certainly benefit from such a system because we have many regular customers. It's incredibly time-consuming when you get something to eat every day and then have to look for a garbage can. ”It is much easier, for example, to simply leave a recycling container in the car - and return it the next time you go shopping. Overall, Anton Huber is convinced: "In the end, the customers decide what is done."Simply leave a recycling container in the car - and return it the next time you shop. Overall, Anton Huber is convinced: "In the end, the customers decide what is done."Simply leave a recycling container in the car - and return it the next time you shop. Overall, Anton Huber is convinced: "In the end, the customers decide what is done."
Recup deposit system as the first step
Manuel Mück from the Esso petrol station in Allershausen dealt with the subject a year ago. “We have a framework agreement with Tchibo, whose coffee we sell here. They also provide us with the materials. ”When he asked about the to-go cups, he received the answer that the cups that are used here are“ made from renewable raw materials and also contain no expanded polystyrene ”- which is why they are not affected by the ban. Nevertheless, Manuel Mück has dealt with the possibility of a reusable system for his customers and has already held talks with representatives of the Germany-wide deposit system "Recup". “I have not yet made a final decision because we are connected to Esso and wanted to wait to see what they do.“If nothing happens in the near future, he will resume talks with Recup.
Mück adds that before the pandemic, many of his customers would have had their own mug for coffee with them.
"Corona thwarted our plans because it was forbidden for reasons of hygiene for a long time and it is only now that people have to come back to the perception that they can have their own cup refilled."
Yormas: Not all plastic is forbidden
The branch of the large catering company Yormas at the Freising train station has a particularly high customer frequency.
Here the sandwiches, salads and coffee mugs go over the counter every second - and so far also plenty of plastic.
But the "changeover" is in full swing in all 62 Yormas branches, reports spokeswoman Tamara Eberl: Only disposable plastic is sold that is in stock.
In any case, plastic straws have been “taken out of our range for over a year.
We make stirring sticks made of wood.
The cups in which our fruit and bowls in which our salad are filled are not among the products that had to be switched by July 3rd. "
+
The boss of the Kranzberger Metzgerwirt welcomes the plastic ban, but sees a need for optimization in the deposit system.
© Lehmann
In fact, from July onwards, numerous single-use plastic products will be banned in the EU.
"Some more that cannot be banned at the moment will in future have a special label that warns of environmental damage from plastic," says the German government's website.
To this end, the Federal Cabinet passed the “Disposable Plastic Labeling Ordinance”.
She wanted to sensitize citizens to the conscious use of plastic with clearly recognizable labels and the note “Product contains plastic”.
An EU-wide ban on these products has so far been "out of the question because there are currently no ecologically more sensible alternatives for them".
Ran petrol station: use up leftovers first
The Ran gas station in Freising has already taken a step towards a plastic-free future: Recup coffee mugs have been on the market for two years. "Unfortunately, this is not being received very well," says managing director Eberhard Feldhoff. "That's too much of a hassle for most customers." That's why he still uses the disposable cups. Of course, Ran will also implement the plastic ban that has been in force since July 3 - but only when the supplier's stocks of old material have been used up. Which environmentally friendly products will come afterwards and, for example, replace the plastic lid of the Ran salad bowl - the managing director does not yet know. He would actually prefer an uncompromising switch to plastic-free products, which would then have to be implemented consistently by every company."Then the customers would no longer have any alternatives - and the topic would be through."
Styrofoam - and what comes after?
“It is of course very good if less waste is produced. There's no question about that, ”says Maria Kohlmeier, the boss of the butcher's in Kranzberg and the associated butcher's shop. Then she sends a big but afterwards: "In terms of food technology, it's not exactly hygienic when containers you bring yourself go over the counter and are touched by the saleswoman." Customers' own boxes have not been filled since Corona. Kohlmeier is concerned with the topic: "It's about take-away food in the pub, hot food in the butcher's shop and, of course, when a guest hasn't made the portion and wants to take the rest away." Traditional restaurant will solve in the future is not yet certain. "Now we need our remaining stocks of Styrofoam packaging first",says Maria Kohlmeier. Recup is then definitely an option. But she is not entirely convinced of it either. Because: “Some people cut around with a knife or accidentally put it on the hot stove at home and then return the scratched or melted container. The next customer then has to take it - that's not optimal. "
Rewe responded three years ago
The ban on one-way plastic is of course also an issue in supermarkets.
As spokeswoman Rosmarie Anthofer from the Eching-based Rewe-Region Süd explains, Rewe began three years ago "and as the first major retailer in Germany" to stop ordering new goods for the now banned single-use plastic products and only assign the remainder to sell.
"Against this background, alternatives have long since replaced the previous products on the shelves," says Anthofer.
As an example, she cites plastic drinking straws that have been made of paper, wheatgrass or stainless steel since spring 2019.
According to Rosmarie Anthofer, the Rewe Group has set itself the goal of avoiding all own-brand sales packaging and service packaging or making it more environmentally friendly by the end of 2030.
"By the end of 2025, all of the own-branded plastic packaging that cannot be avoided should be recyclable," the spokeswoman announced.
afo / hob / as / ba
That is forbidden:
- Disposable cutlery and dishes made of plastic, drinking straws, stirring sticks, cotton swabs and balloon sticks made of plastic may no longer be produced in the EU since July 3, 2021. The same applies to to-go drinks cups, fast food packaging and disposable food containers made of Styrofoam. The trade can sell off existing goods.
- Disposable plates, cups or cutlery made of bio-based or biodegradable plastics are also prohibited. The same applies to disposable plates and trays made of cardboard, only a small part of which is made of plastic or is covered with plastic.
- Identifiers on other plastic disposable products: Other disposable products made from or with plastic, such as wet wipes and certain hygiene articles, cigarettes with plastic-containing filters or disposable beverage cups, are permitted.
You must also receive a special label from July 3, 2021, which warns of environmental damage caused by plastic and informs consumers about the correct disposal.
Source: Federal Government.
The "Moosburger Model"
While to-go reusable systems are already proving themselves in metropolises, the topic is still at the very beginning in smaller cities and municipalities.
As reported, the Moosburg company SWS Schüler - previously a supplier of one-way packaging - is now planning the "Nomoi" circulation system, which is aimed at restaurateurs in smaller places.
Specifically, they want to equip innkeepers and grocers with various boxes made in Bavaria made of recycled polypropylene. The reusable dishes should be dishwasher and microwave safe. The restaurateurs buy a certain quota from the provider and then give the boxes to the consumer when buying food for a deposit of five euros. The deposit will be returned to all participating establishments in the village when the box is returned. If too many boxes of an unsuitable type accumulate at a host, the system provider will arrange for them to be replaced.
A monthly fee is charged for this service, depending on the size of the restaurant or shop.
As Orhan Söhmelioglu, head of SWS Schüler, explains, the concept has not yet been completely thought through: "I would like to further develop the system together with the restaurateurs and I am looking forward to a lively exchange."
Also read: Tragic accident: family father wants to change tires - and is crushed by the mobile home
Freising newsletter: Everything from your region!
Our brand new Freising newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the Freising region - including all the news about the corona crisis in your community.
Sign up here.