Plastic Packaging For Fruit And Vegetables To Be Banned In France From January 1st, 2022

The French government has announced plans to prohibit the sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic packaging beginning January 1, 2022. This is part of its anti-waste law aiming at building a circular economy with single-use plastic phased out by 2040. Plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers, lids for takeout beverage cups, polystyrene boxes, and plastic confetti were all banned in 2021.

Plastic wrapping for fruit and vegetable packaging weighing less than 1.5 kg will be banned in France from January 2022. But the government says it will be phased in until June 30, 2026, giving manufacturers time to adjust their packaging options. Leeks, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cauliflower, and squash are among the vegetables covered by this law. An addendum to the anti-waste legislation would target apples, pears, bananas, oranges and pineapples.

The deadline for phasing out plastic packaging will be extended for salads, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms and chicory, with a ban expected to be complete by December 31st, 2024. A shorter deadline of June 30th, 2023, will also apply to tomatoes, peaches, and nectarines.

France’s anti-waste law urges consumers to bring reusable containers and fruit and vegetables sold in lots of 1.5 kg or more will be exempt from the ban on plastic packaging. The distribution of plastic games with meals will be banned in 2022 and restaurants will be required to replace disposable dishes with reusable ones from 2023.

Reference sources:

https://packagingeurope.com/two-opposing-views-on-the-french-plastic-packaging-ban/