UNITED
AGAINST WASTE
With our expertise, we offer you bespoke solutions tailored perfectly to your needs.
PACKAGING REVOLUTION:
EU PACKAGING REGULATION PAVES THE WAY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
We are drowning in packaging waste. Throwaway culture is placing a huge burden on our environment. This is why the EU has introduced the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to ensure that packaging is reusable and recyclable, to promote the circular economy. These measures are critical to protect the environment.
EU PACKAGING REGULATION 2025:
WHAT COMPANIES HAVE TO KNOW
WHO IS AFFECTED?
The new EU packaging regulation affects all companies located in the EU. This includes producers, manufacturers, the food industry (in particular food services), dealers (including online marketplaces), service providers, administration and private consumers. Companies that import packaging into the EU are also affected.
WHEN DOES THE REGULATION ENTER INTO FORCE?
The EU packaging regulation was passed on 11 February 2025. Its provisions apply from 12 August 2026. It replaces the previous EU packaging directive (94/62/EC dated 20 December 1994, in force since 31 December 1994).
WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EU PACKAGING REGULATION?
The primary objective is to reduce packaging waste in the EU by at least 15% and to minimise the quantity, weight and volume to what is necessary. It includes provisions to introduce more deposit and return systems.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES?
The regulation aims to reduce packaging waste. A brief overview of the most important measures affecting our industries:
- Restrictions for prepackaged fruit and vegetables: packaging for fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg (such as nets, trays and containers) are banned, with few exceptions.
- Single servings in restaurants and hotels: single servings such as coffee creamer, jam, sugar, ketchup and mayonnaise are banned.
- Thin plastic bags: banned, except when used for transporting loose food items.
- Small packaging for cosmetic and hygiene products (hotels): banned.
- Ban on specific packaging items: pizza boxes, paper cups and paper straws containing PFAS chemicals are banned.
- Ban on deceptive packaging packaging appearing to contain more than it actually does is banned.
- Shrink wrap for multipack packaging is banned.
- Ban on shrink wrap for luggage: this additional wrapping is banned.
- Ban on disposable plastic packaging for in-store consumption: with the exception of France where it already applies, disposable plastic packaging for in-store consumption is banned.
WHAT CHANGES STARTING IN 2030?
By 2030, all packaging on the EU market must be recyclable. More reusable packaging should be offered, including for off-trade sales. For drinks and food to go, at least 10% more reusable packaging should be used. Guests may bring their own containers. For transportation between company locations within the EU, only reusable packaging may be used. A new standard for reusable packaging in online trade as well as industrial and commercial logistics will be introduced.
**Sources:** - Packaging Waste - European Commission - IHK Information Sheet – EU Packaging Regulation
SOLUTIONS THAT
MAKE LIFE
EASIER
COMPACT DISHWASHING MACHINES
FOR PLASTIC CUPS, CONTAINERS, BOWLS
M-iClean U
This premium class undercounter dishwasher has all the innovative warewashing technology: from resource-efficiency features like ComfortAir heat recovery, to clever human-machine interfacing, to its sleek, purposeful appearance.
M-iClean H WITH QUICKDRY
No more awkward bending and stooping to load and unload the machine. On premium class dishwashing machines, the hood closes automatically – when the rack enters, with a gentle touch or by pressing the button on the display. Silent. Reliable.
LARGE DISHWASHING MACHINES
UP TO 15,000 CUPS/H
M-iQ Cup
This premium class undercounter dishwasher has all the innovative warewashing technology: from resource-efficiency features like ComfortAir heat recovery, to clever human-machine interfacing, to its sleek, purposeful appearance.
WASH BOTTLES
M-iClean U
As a trend, sustainability is causing us to move away from disposable products more towards reusable solutions. This also applies to bottles. We are more and more often using glass bottles or carafe jugs. And these have to be washed, too! No problem with the smart patented bottle rack system from MEIKO! And everyone benefits: operators, staff and guests or patients. In just a few flicks of the wrist, you can retrofit your M-iClean UM and M-iClean UM+ – converting the glass and dishwasher into a machine designed specifically to clean bottles.
WASH BOWLS
M-iClean U
This premium class undercounter dishwasher has all the innovative warewashing technology: from resource-efficiency features like ComfortAir heat recovery, to clever human-machine interfacing, to its sleek, purposeful appearance.
M-iClean H with QuickDry
No more awkward bending and stooping to load and unload the machine. On premium class dishwashing machines, the hood closes automatically– when the rack enters, with a gentle touch or by pressing the button on the display. Silent. Reliable.
OUR EXPERTISE
20 YEARS
of expertise in REUSABLE plastics
100 YEARS
of expertise in REUSABLE products
15,000 CUPS/H*
are possible per hour - with the M-iQ Cup.
DROPS
Clean AND dry. Plus the right cleaning agents for plastics
SOLUTIONS THAT IMPRESS
TAKE-AWAY
WASH BOWLS WITH MEIKO
Fancy high-protein bowls? At Naupaka, they prepare custom bowls for guests in practical reusable plastic containers.
CUPSTAK
CUPSTACK WASHES REUSABLE CUPS WITH MEIKO
CupStack offers a complete services package for reusable cups: consultation, logistics, coordination, washing and storage. MEIKO developed a dishwashing machine specially for CupStack that not only washes reusable cups to hygiene standards, but also dries and cools them. Mirza van Meerwijk, one of the founders, shares more about it in this video.
REUSABLE PACKAGING SYSTEM AT SPREESPEICHER BERLIN
SPARKLING REFRESHMENT THANKS TO BRITA AND MEIKO
Simply fill water yourself and serve it in branded bottles. That’s today’s way to enjoy water. Several hundred bottles are filled using the Vivreau Fill 200 water dispenser from BRITA each day and hygienically washed with the MiClean UM undercounter dishwashing machine from MEIKO.
AQUARYS PARIS
REUSABLE DISHWARE IS VERSATILE. SO ARE MEIKO DISHWASHING MACHINES
Aquarys offers various restaurants in the La Défense district in Paris a warewashing service for a wide range of reusable dishware. Reusable plastic glasses, cups, bowls are now available quick and dry.
CLEAN SOLUTION CIRCLE
THE SOLUTION FOR COMMERCIAL WAREWASHING MEIKO HAS TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE DETAILS
Several factors are involved in achieving the ultimate warewashing result. And MEIKO understands all of them in great detail. So we are able to offer the food service sector a one-stop shop for optimised planning, clever technology, eco-friendly chemical products, custom water treatment, reliable service and well researched training programmes. MEIKO therefore provides food service managers with a comprehensive solution for the warewashing cycle, all the way from one diner to the next and even to go.