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Spain to Ban Plastic Wrapping for Fruit and Veg in 2023

4 min read

Sustainable Planet
Spain to Ban Plastic Wrapping for Fruit and Veg in 2023
Source: Unsplash/nrd

New Spanish legislation is set to ban the sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic wrapping in supermarkets and grocery stores from 2023, when new measures will also be implemented to encourage shoppers to purchase non-plastic bottled water.

Spain to ban sale of fruit and veg in plastic wrapping from 2023

The sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic wrapping will be prohibited in Spain’s supermarkets and grocery stores starting in 2023. This is one of the measures in a decree being drafted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, according to sources familiar with the initiative and reported by El País. The new regulation also contains measures to encourage the purchase of loose, unpackaged produce and use of non-bottled water. The ban on fruit and vegetable packaging will apply to produce weighing under 1.5 kilograms, following similar legislation in France, where it will go into effect next year.

By 2023 it will be forbidden to sell fruits and vegetables in plastic containers in Spain, and beverages are to be offered in reusable containers in all retail establishments.
Spain cracks down on plastic food and drink packaging. By 2023 it will be forbidden to sell fruits and vegetables in plastic containers in Spain, and beverages are to be offered in reusable containers in all retail establishments. Source: https://unsplash.com/@nicotitto

The legislation also aims to make all packaging recyclable by 2030

Spain is banning the sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic wrapping in supermarkets and grocery stores from 2023, when new measures will also be implemented to encourage shoppers to purchase non-plastic bottled water.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition has drafted new regulations that will ban the sale of fruit and vegetables weighing under 1.5kg when packaged in plastic, in a step that aims to encourage shoppers to buy unpackaged produce.

The regulations will also encourage shoppers to buy non-bottled water.

Spain has been behind other countries in recent years in its reduction of use of plastic packaging and is now keen to press ahead to change the mindset of shoppers and incorporate European Union rules into the new framework. The new regulations will follow similar legislation in France that is due to be effective from next year.

The ministry disclosed startling statistics about the current situation, stating that Spain generates 1.6 million tonnes of waste from plastic packaging each year, with less than half of this amount recycled.

Source: SpainInEnglish

In the case of retailers, in addition to the relevant changes in recycling, they will have to set up zones and inventory to meet these demands, while manufacturers will have to work out how to increase the percentage of recycled plastic.
The measures, focused on the reuse of packaging and recycling, will impact consumers in Spain mainly in these two aspects. In the case of retailers, in addition to the relevant changes in recycling, they will have to set up zones and inventory to meet these demands, while manufacturers will have to work out how to increase the percentage of recycled plastic. Source: Pixabay/ElasticComputeFarm

the goal is to make all packaging 100% recyclable by 2030

In addition to the above, the goal will be to make all packaging 100% recyclable by 2030 along with reducing the number of plastic bottles being sold by half.

In a document sent by the ministry to NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), the objective is to promote the reuse of alternative containers such as those made from harder plastic or glass bottles that can be used several times. 

  • In the case of hotels, restaurants and cafeterias, it is proposed that 50% of the packaging sold in 2025 be reusable. 
  • In 2030 it should reach 60%. 
  • In the case of beers, 80% is set in 2025 and 90% in 2030. 
  • And for soft drinks, the goals are 70% and 80% respectively. 
  • In the case of sales for home consumption, the targets are much less ambitious: 10% of beverage packaging in general in 2025 and 20% in 2030.

The decree also includes the obligation for administrations to install drinking fountains within public spaces in a bid to further reduce the sale of plastic bottles, as well as rolling back “the distribution of single-use drinking cups” at public events, beginning in 2023, according to the information shared with NGOs.

Source: HealthPlanSpain

The larger retailers must offer up to seven different types of packaging and dedicate part of their space to bulk sales so that consumers will be able to store goods in their own bags or containers, bottles included.
The larger retailers must offer up to seven different types of packaging and dedicate part of their space to bulk sales so that consumers will be able to store goods in their own bags or containers, bottles included. Source: Unsplash/nrd

consumers should buy food including fruits and veg in bulk to avoid unnecessary plastic packaging

The new decree is also in line with recommendations made in the first ever review of the scientific literature on marine litter in Spain, published in Marine Pollution Bulletin this month. 

The paper found microplastic contamination along the entire Spanish coast, and outlined steps that international and local governments, businesses and individuals could take to reduce plastic waste.

"In our opinion, the solution goes beyond measures such as recycling or reuse, and unquestionably involves limiting the use of plastics, mainly single-use plastics, and also drastically reducing their production globally," the study authors wrote.

They said that consumers should buy food including fruits and vegetables in bulk to avoid unnecessary plastic packaging.

Source: EcoWatch 

The same source said that plastic pollution “has exceeded all limits.” Environmental groups in Spain and abroad, including Greenpeace, have been campaigning for years to stop greengrocers and large supermarkets alike from wrapping fresh produce in layers of plastic.
The Spanish executive wants to “fight the overuse of packaging in the most effective way,” said a ministry spokesperson. The same source said that plastic pollution “has exceeded all limits.” Environmental groups in Spain and abroad, including Greenpeace, have been campaigning for years to stop greengrocers and large supermarkets alike from wrapping fresh produce in layers of plastic. Source: ElPaís
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