EU packaging rules need to be realistic: A thriving hospitality sector depends on it

Let’s unwrap the basics first: we strongly align with the EU Green Deal’s objective to prevent waste and uphold circularity within our operations. Many are already engaged in transitioning to more sustainable practices. The European Commission’s intent to reduce and prevent packaging waste in its upcoming directive review goes in the right direction.

The EU’s ambition to switch so abruptly to reuse systems for food and beverage packaging in HoReCa is however concerning. As a service industry, our sector always thinks of the consumer first. To succeed, circular innovations including reuse should be pragmatic and preserve consumer choice & convenience. It should consider the‘think small first’ principle and adequately target the right set of businesses – not micro and small.

Shifting to reuse would require a systemic change in our industry’s operations. Establishments would have to source reusable packaging suppliers and invest to set up reuse cleaning and storage facilities within their premises. Reuse targets for our sector should be science-based and feasible, considering the heterogeneous nature of our industry and local specificities.

If a ban on single-use products in HoReCa is envisaged, transition periods should be set to allow businesses to adapt.

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Meeting DG HOME + DG GROW: Ukrainian refugees
01/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:00
On 1 March 2023, HOTREC held a meeting with DG Home and DG GROW on the Ukrainian refugees topic.  Participants to the meeting European Commission [...]
Pact for Skills - coordination meeting
02/03/2023    
15:00 - 16:30
Main outcome of the meeting available
09 Mar
09/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
Presentation and draft minutes are now available.
European Platform Undeclared Work - Ukraine refugees sub-group
09/03/2023    
10:00
Participants:  Participants of ELA (European Labour Authority), labour inspectors from Member States, European Federation of Employers; HOTREC (Marta Machado) Agenda Subgroup on displaced persons and [...]
10 Mar
10/03/2023    
11:00 - 12:00
ExCom Video Conference Link ExCom draft agenda - 10 March 2023 Draft Minutes of ExCom meeting of 25 January 2023 Antitrust Statement HOTREC Statutes HOTRE [...]
14 Mar
14/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
We are delighted to invite you to the Social Affairs Working Group meeting, taking place on 14 March 2023, online. Please register by using this [...]
Sectoral Social Dialogue meeting
20/03/2023    
10:00 - 13:00
We are delighted to invite you to the next Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) meeting, which will be hybrid, taking place on 20 March 2023 (from [...]
23 Mar
23/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
SAVE THE DATE: 23 March Exact timing and agenda TBC
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop
30/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:30
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop Episode 9 – broadcast live on the 30th of March 2023 at 14:00 to 15:30 Roadmap for [...]
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14 Mar
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