Restaurants and supermarkets forced to say goodbye to disposable tableware

Disposable knives, forks and plates are living out their last months. From January 1, 2023, their use will be prohibited. From the same day, supermarkets will be required to have containers for collecting packaging waste on their premises. All this is spelt out in the new law on waste.

The document, signed in April, obliges shopping centres with an area of ​​more than 400 m2 to install special waste disposal systems. There are 160 organizations in Luxembourg that meet these criteria. Some of them have already begun to put the idea into practice. For example, this was done by Auchan in Kirchberg and Delhaize spots in Alzingen, Bertrange, Kapellen, Strassen and Walferdange.

Cafes and restaurants will now have to serve food in reusable dishes. Everything’s clear with plates and forks. Cups for drinks at fast food joints are more of a headscratcher. According to statistics, they are more commonly used than any tableware. It seems the waiters will have to somehow find a balance between cooking and collecting cups. Plus, now they will need a separate sink. Only disposable paper packaging is allowed.

Another interesting law is centred on catering. On January 1, 2024, a year from now, every catering service will be required to provide a roadmap for the transition to reusable packaging for takeaway products as well as orders from home. This already means huge logistical costs for organizations. Businesses in tourist areas will be especially affected. The chance that a customer will bring the package back is minimal, which means even more expenses.

Undoubtedly, there are a lot of controversial points in this new waste law. It is highly likely that the discussion of its projects and measures will continue in the near future.