Environmental protection: France bans plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables

Cucumbers, oranges, potatoes: As of January, many types of fruit and vegetables in France will no longer be allowed to be packed in plastic.

Paris - France declares war on the rampant use of plastic.

Starting next year, around 30 types of fruit and vegetables may only be sold without plastic packaging.

The government announced a corresponding decree on Monday.

According to the plans, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, leeks, zucchini, aubergines and cauliflower may not be packed in plastic in the future.

In the case of fruit, apples, pears, mandarins and oranges, among others, are affected.

More easily perishable goods such as some types of tomato, green beans or grapes can still be wrapped in plastic until mid-2023.

The exception for sensitive sprouts and berries applies the longest.

They do not have to be packaged plastic-free until mid-2026.

France: Food accounts for almost half of plastic consumption

Plastic packaging for food accounts for the largest share of global plastic production.

In France alone, according to a report by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, almost half of plastic consumption is accounted for by meat, cheese and other foods.

With the ban, more than a billion plastic packaging will be saved annually in the future.

Most of the goods at traditional weekly markets are still unpacked.

However, there are now some unpackaged shops in major cities where customers can bring their own containers.

The ban on plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables was already provided for in the anti-waste law of January 2020.