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In the ever-changing hospitality industry landscape, embracing sustainability has become a crucial aspect of success.  In this article, Francisco Morcillo, Head of Sustainability, Bunzl Continental Europe, provides an overview of the latest EU sustainability legislation and regulations and key solutions hospitality operators can implement.

The EU Green Deal

The ‘EU Green Deal‘ encompasses a series of directives and regulations designed to combat climate change, promote clean energy, foster sustainability across industries, enhance building efficiency, and preserve biodiversity, among other measures.

As hotel and hospitality operators, understanding relevant environmental legislation is essential for compliance and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth.

Single Use Plastics Directive

One of the most impactful and intricate pieces of legislation under the Green Deal is the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive.

Introduced in 2020, the SUP Directive operates on multiple tiers, with various measures being implemented at different times. Notably, it restricts single-use plastic plates, stirrers, cutlery, and straws.

Furthermore, each EU country has the authority to introduce its rules to reduce the usage of plastic or plastic-containing cups and takeaway food containers, favouring reusable or non-plastic alternatives. However, this country disparity can create challenges for businesses operating across different nations.

Below, we highlight an overview of the current legislation in select countries:

France

Medium and large outlets must use reusable options for eating in. From 2025, takeaway shops will also have an obligation to offer reusable options to customers as well as disposable ones for the food to go.

Netherlands & Germany

In the Netherlands, consumers now must pay a charge for SUP cups and food containers. As an alternative, shops must include a reusable option to offer to their customers. Similarly, German restaurants are now obliged to offer reusable options to customers.

Belgium

On the other hand, Belgium has placed a ban on clear plastic cups in favour of reusable alternatives or paper cups, even though most of these also contain a layer of plastic to avoid water permeation.

Ireland

While Ireland still needs to communicate all the measures necessary to reduce SUP cups and food containers, the direction they take could align with those stated above.

Our solutions

Transitioning from single-use to reusable options can be a powerful step towards reducing environmental impact. Reusables require fewer virgin resources, minimise plastic waste, and decrease pollution.

However, a hybrid approach that combines reusable options with responsibly sourced, recyclable, or compostable disposables may be more practical in certain settings, such as hotels where guests may not always have access to bring-their-own options.

Our brand, Verive, offers tailored solutions for hybrid systems, providing guests with personalised reusable items and guidance on using them effectively, alongside disposable options suitable for each environment. This approach can reduce material waste, increase cup returns, and create a cleaner environment.

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Another key legislation to be aware of is the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, expected for publication in 2024 and effective from 2025. As a regulation, it will apply uniformly across all EU countries, emphasising recyclability and reusability, similar to the SUP Directive. Hospitality and catering sectors, including hotels, will be impacted by this regulation, with proposals covering restrictions on single-use plastics, reusability targets for beverage bottles, and designing all packaging for recycling.

One notable measure in this regulation is banning small cosmetics, hygiene, and toiletry products in hotels, specifically those smaller than 50ml. This will have widespread implications for hotels throughout Europe.

Our solutions

To address this, Bunzl offers bulk amenities, such as pump dispensers, which have been shown to save substantial amounts of soap and plastic while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60%.

How can we help

As a distributor working with numerous suppliers, we’re well-positioned to offer objective advice on compliant and sustainable products. We can also consolidate orders, contributing to cutting carbon emissions in transport.

For small and medium businesses lacking resources to navigate complex legislation, we can assist with implementing sustainable practices. For larger players, we can help with customised solutions and data-driven insights to enable them to substantiate their commitment to sustainability.

Get in touch

If you’re interested in sustainable solutions to help comply with legislation, reach out to your Trinity Relationship Manager for more information or contact news@trinitypurchasing.com.