To promote sustainable packaging options and protect the environment, the EU has passed a law banning certain types of packaging. Starting in July, the following items will be banned :
- To-go food packaging made of so-called EPS – the abbreviation stands for “expanded polystyrene”, the more common term is Styrofoam.
- Disposable plates and other tableware – even if they appear to be paper plates at first glance, these items pose a particular challenge from a recycling perspective. A wafer-thin plastic film prevents them from soaking through, making reuse difficult.
- Plastic cutlery and plastic drinking straws as well as other plastic beverage accessories
We need a lot of packaging
It's obvious that certain products need packaging – drinks, for example. But why do we find vegetables in stores that are wrapped in portions? Packaging helps keep products fresher longer and reduces food waste. But we often forget that many products are already very efficiently packaged by Mother Nature: in their own shell.
Another trend fueling the flood of packaging is online shopping. Especially during the pandemic, more people have been ordering everyday items online: tiny orders in a huge box, generously filled with Styrofoam. This is now set to end. And that's a good thing – because in 2016 , each person in Switzerland produced 715 kilograms of waste!
Think twice about packaging
With the new law, the EU aims to oblige manufacturers to be more sustainable . But consumers should also get on board. Those who automatically choose packaged products when shopping are promoting the harmful side of the packaging industry. Anyone who thinks that simply collecting and separating packaging is enough is also mistaken. Often, waste ends up in an emerging country, where it is recycled in an unsustainable way, or even abandoned. Therefore, it's more effective to start where your own waste is generated – when shopping:
- Buy more unpackaged food, for example at the weekly market, or bring your own packaging.
- Carry a small thermos flask instead of Coffee2Go.
- Take cloth bags with you and politely decline plastic or paper bags in the department store.
- Drink tap water or use a soda maker – after all, the cartridges are recycled.
- If you're going to package something, use glass containers rather than plastic. Glass is easily recycled, and reusable bottles are an ideal solution for beverages.
Proper disposal remains important
Only a few consumers manage to completely avoid packaging waste through a consistent lifestyle. This is understandable. Therefore, proper waste disposal is an important contribution to environmental protection. Thanks to online services like abfall.ch, households can compile their own "waste calendar" based on their postal code and send it electronically to their mobile phone as an ICS file or print it out. Textiles, hazardous waste, and organic waste? All collection data at a glance, as needed. With such a practical disposal calendar, you can effortlessly contribute to recycling.
