Not Just a Plastic Ban – Is Your Packaging Compliant?
Introduction: The Countdown Begins – EU Packaging Regulations Are Changing
As of August 12, 2026, the European Union will enforce the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in full force. This means that if your packaging does not comply with the new regulations, your business could face fines, product returns, or even a ban from entering the EU market.
While these regulations are crucial for ensuring sustainability and reducing waste, they also represent a critical challenge for all businesses, particularly those in the restaurant and custom packaging industries.
Whether you are running a café, fast-food restaurant, or producing custom packaging for various sectors, the EU PPWR will directly impact your packaging strategies, forcing you to rethink your approach to materials, design, and compliance.
I. The Key EU PPWR Changes Affecting the Restaurant and Custom Packaging Industries
1. The Comprehensive Ban on PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
Starting on August 12, 2026, all food-contact packaging entering the EU will be prohibited from containing PFAS above extremely low thresholds. Specifically, individual PFAS substances are limited to 25 ppb, while the total PFAS content cannot exceed 250 ppb.
- The Urgency: Many low-cost bagasse or paper-based packaging solutions in the restaurant industry currently rely on PFAS-based coatings to achieve oil and water resistance. However, under the PPWR, these materials will be banned in favor of PFAS-free alternatives.
- InNature’s Solution: We offer PFAS-free plant-based coatings, ensuring that your packaging will be fully compliant and free from harmful chemicals. Switching to these solutions now will help you avoid the risks of non-compliance after 2026.
2. The End of Single-Use Plastics in the HORECA Sector
The PPWR makes it clear that single-use plastic items will no longer be allowed in the HORECA (hotel, restaurant, and café) sector, including:
- Dine-in Utensils: No more single-use plastic plates, cups, or trays in restaurants.
- Condiment Packaging: Bans on plastic sachets for sauces, sugars, and creamers.
- Fresh Produce: Prohibition on using plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kg, unless alternatives like paper or plant-based packaging are shown to cause decay.
- The Pain Point: Restaurant businesses will need to find alternative packaging materials that comply with the PPWR. The demand for sustainable and compostable packaging will be higher than ever.
- InNature’s Solution: We offer a range of sustainable packaging solutions including compostable trays, bowls, and cutlery made from sugarcane bagasse and plant fibers, which not only meet the PPWR standards but also contribute to your restaurant’s eco-friendly image.
3. Packaging Minimization – Tackling ‘False Volume’
One of the most significant changes for both restaurant and custom packaging is the new empty space restriction. By 2030, the empty space in packaging should not exceed 50%, and packaging designs intended to increase perceived volume (such as double walls or fake bottoms) will be banned.
- Custom Packaging Challenge: If you are designing bespoke packaging, this is a major opportunity for innovation. Packaging that is excessively large for the contents risks non-compliance.
- InNature’s Solution: Our Molded Pulp (plant fiber) packaging can be custom-designed to fit product shapes precisely, minimizing unused space and avoiding unnecessary fillers. This helps you meet both PPWR’s packaging minimization requirements and maintain the high-end quality your brand is known for.
Restaurant Tip: It’s important for restaurants to match the portion sizes with the container size. Avoid large packaging for small portions, as it may lead to customer dissatisfaction. A large box with minimal food inside is not only wasteful, it also misleads consumers.
4. Forced Recyclable Design (DfR) – Starting Now
By 2030, all packaging on the EU market must be recyclable. Packaging will be rated for recyclability (A, B, C), with anything below 70% recyclability considered non-compliant, triggering hefty Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) taxes.
- The Urgency: Packaging with plastic liners or composite materials (e.g., plastic-coated paper) will face higher compliance costs as they struggle to meet these recyclability standards.
- InNature’s Solution: Our mono-material, fiber-based packaging is fully recyclable, easily fitting into Grade A recyclability. In comparison, plastic-lined packaging may incur significantly higher EPR fees as the EU works toward reducing non-recyclable waste.
II. Custom Packaging Crisis: The ‘Death Sentence’ for Plastic Liners and Composite Materials
The rise of single-use plastic bans has created a massive shift in custom packaging solutions. Businesses must embrace sustainable alternatives, and the PPWR is accelerating this transition.
- The Shift: Traditional custom packaging often relies on plastic liners and composite materials for strength and protection. However, the new regulations make it clear: these materials won’t make the cut.
- InNature’s Advantage: We specialize in fiber-based custom inserts, replacing plastic foam and liners. Our solutions are not only compliant with the PPWR, but they also enhance your brand’s premium feel, maintaining strength and protection without using plastic.
2026 Compliance Roadmap: What Should Restaurant Brands Do Now?
Step 1: Supply Chain Audit
- Check with your current packaging suppliers to confirm whether they can provide the necessary compliance certificates, especially for PFAS-free certifications.
Step 2: Redesign Your Packaging Structure
- Remove unnecessary plastic decorative elements and shift to molded pulp or other plant-based alternatives. Focus on minimalist designs that meet packaging volume requirements while maintaining quality and aesthetic appeal.
Step 3: Label Space Reservations
- PPWR requires uniform recycling labels and QR codes on packaging. Ensure that your current designs allocate space for these mandatory labels.
Why Choose InNature as Your Compliance Partner?
Comprehensive Alternative Solutions
- At InNature, we provide sugarcane pulp and molded pulp solutions for both foodservice packaging and custom packaging. Our solutions help you replace traditional plastic packaging, ensuring compliance while elevating your brand image.
Forward-thinking Research and Development
- Our products have already passed the 2026 standards, ensuring that your packaging will not only be compliant but will also give you a competitive edge in the market.
Design Optimization
- We optimize packaging designs that comply with PPWR’s minimization and recyclability regulations while preserving luxury brand quality and consumer satisfaction.
Conclusion: Change Your Packaging Before the Rules Change
The PPWR presents both a challenge and an opportunity for brands to redefine their sustainability image. By switching to compliant, eco-friendly packaging solutions now, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the upcoming changes and ensure your products remain competitive and compliant in the EU market.
Worried that your packaging won’t meet the 2026 EU regulations? Book your InNature Packaging Compliance Audit today, and we’ll provide you with a customized transition plan.
