Plastic food packaging: a further step towards reducing single-use plastics
Building on the measures introduced in recent years, the Prince's Government is continuing its efforts to reduce single-use plastics, with new provisions coming into force on 1 September 2026.
From this date, a number of single-use plastic packaging formats used for fresh, ready-to-eat food will no longer be permitted. The measure also applies to some pre-packaged products with a use-by date of less than three days. The new rules therefore primarily target packaging that is used for only a very short time, sometimes just a few hours or days, before being discarded.
In practice, consumers will continue to find the same products in the stores concerned, but packaging will gradually be adapted to reduce reliance on single-use plastics. Exemptions will remain where necessary to meet food preservation and food safety requirements and to minimise food waste. For example, coatings used to seal or preserve food and plastic containers used for fresh-cut fruit will continue to be permitted.
To prepare for these changes, the Department of the Environment has been working with the retailers concerned for several weeks, providing them with information and support. In particular, it has worked through the Commerce Engagé and Restaurant Engagé network to inform businesses about the new rules and help them identify suitable alternatives.
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