New EU Environmental Regulations for 2025 Are Here! Things to Note When Exporting Plastic Food Takeout Containers
author: Iris
2025-07-28
1. What Do the New EU Environmental Packaging Regulations for 2025 Say?
This regulation focuses on disposable lunch boxes, especially plastic boxes for takeout.
Why Does the EU Want to Issue This New Regulation?
The EU has always attached great importance to environmental protection, especially the problem of plastic pollution. This new regulation is their upgraded version of the "Plastic Restriction Order", which aims to protect the environment and promote the green economy by restricting the use of disposable plastics. Products that are thrown away after use, such as food takeout containers and fast food packaging boxes, have become the main targets of regulation. For us exporters, if we still use traditional plastics, our products may be blocked from the market.
What Are the Key Requirements of the New Regulations?
The new regulations have many new requirements for plastic packaging, such as not using foam plastics (such as EPS, a white and light material), products must be labeled "recyclable" and "compostable", and it must be clear what materials are used and whether they will degrade. In addition, takeaway boxes such as fast food packaging boxes and food takeout containers must have an additional "carbon footprint" label, which tells everyone how much carbon the box emits from production to transportation.
Which Products Will Be Focused On?
The focus of this regulation is on disposable plastic packaging used to hold food. Food takeout containers and Chinese food takeaway boxes commonly used for takeout are all within the scope of supervision. In particular, those plastic boxes with lids and multi-layer structures will be subject to key inspections. For example, some heat-resistant packaging boxes used for Chinese food may not be sold to EU countries if the materials are not environmentally friendly or cannot be recycled.
3. How to Make Key Products Compliant? Let's Talk About Them One by One
Different types of food boxes have different compliance methods, so don't get confused.
How to Change Food Takeout Containers for Takeout to Make Them Compliant?
For example, many food takeout containers used to pack meals were made of PP or PET in the past. If these materials are recyclable, it's ok. If they are multi-layered and difficult to disassemble, they are not compliant. Now it is recommended that you use PLA, pulp, or recyclable PP as the base, and add a transparent lid, which is both environmentally friendly and practical.
How to Deal with the High Temperature Problem of the Chinese Food Takeaway Box?
Chinese takeaway boxes often have to hold hot food or soup, which has high requirements for materials. This type of Chinese food takeaway box recommends using high-temperature resistant CPLA or food-grade PP, and then matching it with environmental labels, such as "microwaveable" and "compostable".
Can Fast Food Packaging Boxes for Fast Food Use Plastic Again?
Fast food packaging boxes for fast food pay great attention to whether they can be stacked and transported easily. Therefore, it is recommended to use pulp molding as the inner liner, and then add a layer of biodegradable film, which is both environmentally friendly and can hold hot foods such as hamburgers and French fries.
Where to Buy?
Huizhou Yangrui Printing and Packaging Co., Ltd. mainly sells PP lunch boxes, MFPP environmentally friendly takeaway boxes, PLA lunch boxes, etc., and has many international certifications such as FDA, OK Compost, BPI, etc.
Contact information:
Phone: +86-159 8949 1653
Email: sales@yrpak.com
Email: sales@yrpak.com
References
- European Union Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904
- Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) — Proposed Revisions 2023/2024
- European Bioplastics: Biodegradable Materials & Certification Guidelines
- DIN CERTCO Certification Scheme – Compostable Packaging
- OK Compost (TÜV Austria)
- FDA Guidance for Food Contact Materials
2. What Impact Will the New Regulations Have on Chinese Exporters?
From materials to labels to costs, each item has changed. Prepare in advance to avoid being passive.
Which Plastic Materials Can No Longer Be Used?
The EU made it very clear this time: Styrofoam (EPS), PVC, and non-degradable PS are no longer usable. These are the materials that many fast food packaging boxes and food takeout containers used to be made of. So what else can be used? Now it is recommended to use environmentally friendly materials such as PLA, pulp molding, PBS, and CPLA. Although these materials are a little more expensive, they meet EU standards and can be degraded, making them suitable for use as takeout boxes.
Labels Must Also Comply with Regulations
In addition to changes in materials, the labels on products must also keep up. For example, on Chinese food takeaway boxes or fast food packaging boxes, you can no longer just put a few "green" slogans. You must use words officially recognized by the EU, such as "recyclable" and "compostable". It is also necessary to clearly state what material it is, whether it can be put into the microwave, whether it can be refrigerated, etc. These labels are not only for good looks; the EU is very strict, and if not properly affixed, they may be stuck in the customs clearance process.
Costs Will Rise, But Don't Be Afraid, There Are Ways to Deal with It
Environmentally friendly materials, certification fees, label printing... all mean that costs will rise. Especially for lunch box manufacturers who win by price, this is indeed pressure. But there is a way to solve it. We can purchase environmentally friendly materials in bulk in advance, optimize the box structure, such as reducing unnecessary plastic usage, and design more reasonable packaging with customers, which can reduce costs without affecting the export of food takeout containers.
4. How Should Chinese Manufacturers Respond to These New Changes?
Don’t wait for customers to complain; we should take action first and turn environmental protection into a competitive advantage.
Change Materials and Use New Materials That Are More Environmentally Friendly
Now is not the era of only looking at prices; customers are more concerned about environmental protection. We can replace the PS, PVC, and other materials used before with environmentally friendly options such as PLA, CPLA, pulp molding, PBS, etc. Although the cost is higher, the most important thing is to pass the inspection and enter the market. For example, food takeout containers use PLA + pulp combination, which is not only compliant, but also can be used as a selling point to say: "We use environmentally friendly materials, customers can eat more safely."
Do a Good Job of Certification, So That Customers Can Trust You
Exporting to Europe, certification is particularly critical. Environmental protection and food safety certifications such as OK Compost, DIN CERTCO, FDA, and BPI must be applied in advance before customers place orders. You also need to design labels with European customers. Don’t just think it’s okay, but customers must also recognize it. The more standardized the compliance process, the less troublesome the business will be.
Make "Environmental Protection" The Focus of Publicity and Tell Customers
Don't be afraid that environmental protection is expensive; turn it into your brand advantage. Mark "degradable", "EU certified", and "low carbon footprint" on the official website, brochures, and outer packaging. Especially for customers who make food takeout containers and Chinese food takeaway boxes, they will be more willing to cooperate once they see this information. Environmental protection is not only for regulatory agencies to see, but also for customers and the market to see. With certification, labels, and solutions, you will naturally win more orders.
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