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Single-use plastic products and other disposable products

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Different types of single-use products

Last reviewed: ‎30‎ ‎July‎ ‎2023

On this side we describe how different types of single-use products are defined according to Swedish regulations and the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive as well as the EU Commission's guidance on single-use plastic products.

This page is aimed at

Operators, such as manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, restaurants, shops and event organisers.

Good to know

Definitions for products linked to producer responsibility can be found on the pages for each producer responsibility.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

 

EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive has been introduced in Sweden with the help of a series of regulations. In Sweden, the legislation is a bit broader as it also covers certain disposable products in materials other than plastic.

New regulations (only in Swedish)

Corrections to existing regulations (only in Swedish)

EU directives 

PM and referral response (only in Swedish)

Food containers

Food containers, according to the Single-Use Products Regulation, are packaging, with or without lids, that are moulded or mostly unchanged in shape after the contents are added or removed. For example, the food container can be used for fast food such as cold or hot food meals, sandwiches, wraps and salads. Food containers containing fresh or processed food that does not require any further preparation, such as fruits, vegetables and desserts, are also covered.

A food container can be made entirely of plastic or composed of more than one material, one of which may be plastic. In cases where one of the materials is plastic, the end product is considered to be partly made of plastic and is covered by the EU's single-use plastics directive. For example, when paper or cardboard-based food containers have a plastic lining or coating on the surface, they are partly made of plastic and are therefore covered by the directive.

In order for a food container to be covered by the Single-Use Products Regulation, it must be used for fast food. A food container, with or without a lid, is therefore covered by the regulation if it is used for foods that: 

  1. are intended for direct consumption (at the point of sale or elsewhere);
  2. usually consumed straight out of the package, and
  3. is ready to be consumed without any additional preparation (for example, cooking, boiling, heating).

In addition to the above criteria, the likelihood of a food container becoming litter due to its volume or size shall be taken into account in the assessment to determine whether it is a single-use plastic product covered by the directive.

Food containers used for food which complies with the requirements of the Directive but which are sold empty and are not intended to be filled at the point of sale are also covered by the Directive.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.2 (pages 13-14) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

EUR-Lex - C:2021:216:FULL - EN - EUR-Lex

Clarifications of criteria for food containers

  • The type of food that the food container contains. Foods generally suitable for direct consumption are, for example, nuts, sandwiches, yogurts, salads and cooked meals, fruits and vegetables.
  • If there are accessories that make it easy to eat the food on site. Items such as forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks and/or sauces are included in, or accessories, for a single-use plastic food container. However, the absence of such articles should not in itself exclude the product from the Regulation.
  • If the shape of the food container enables or facilitates the food in the package to be eaten directly from the package. For example, it can be easy to open and the food container opens in a way that makes the package easy to eat from.
  • If the food can be eaten immediately. The food in the food container can be consumed without any additional preparation. For example, the food does not require freezing, cooking, boiling or heating, including frying, grilling, baking, heating in the microwave or roasting. Washing, peeling or cutting fruit and vegetables should not be considered as preparation and does not constitute an exception to the Regulation as it can easily be carried out anywhere.
  • If the food in the food container is intended to be consumed without the addition of liquids, spices or sauces other than those included. An example of food containers covered by the Directive is a single-portion packed muesli sold together with a single-serving container of milk. Examples of food containers that are not covered by the regulation are those where hot or cold water or other liquid (which is not included) needs to be added before the food is consumed.

Flexible cover

According to the EU's Single Use Plastics Directive, packages and wrappers are defined as packaging made of a flexible material. In the Ordinance (2018:1462) on producer responsibility for packaging, a flexible cover is a bendable single-use plastic product that contains food that is intended to be consumed directly from the packaging without further preparation.

A flexible food wrapper may be entirely plastic or composed of more than one material, one of which may be plastic. In cases where one of the materials is plastic, the end product is considered to be partly made of plastic and is covered by the Single Use Plastics Directive. For example, when paper-based flexible covers have a plastic lining or coating on their surface, they are partly made of plastic and are therefore covered by the directive.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.3 (pages 16-17) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Clarifications of criteria for flexible covers

  • Whether packages are flexible so that their shape is easily changed, for example when food is added or removed; The opposite is rigid packaging, the shape of which remains unchanged when food is added or removed.
  • Where the design of the packaging shows that the food contained in the packaging is intended for immediate consumption after purchase; For example, a flexible cover can be easily opened by tearing, cutting, twisting or pulling apart.
  • If the type of food is suitable for immediate consumption (for example, sweets, nuts, chocolate bars, cherry tomatoes, chips).
  • If the design of the package or cover allows consumption directly out of the flexible cover.
  • For example, if forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks and/or sauces are included in or are accessories for a flexible single-use wrapper. However, the absence of such articles should not in itself exclude the product from the scope of this Directive.
  • If the food can be eaten immediately. The food in the flexible wrapper can be consumed without prior preparation such as boiling, frying, grilling, baking, cooking, heating in the microwave, roasting, heating or freezing. It should not be necessary to add cold or hot water or any other liquid (including milk), spices or sauces, before consuming the food (unless one of these is supplied with the food). The washing, peeling or cutting of a food is not considered a preparation and does not constitute an exception to the Directive as it can easily be carried out anywhere.

Beverage containers, mugs, corks and lids

Examples of beverage containers that are single-use plastic products under the Single Use Regulation are plastic beverage bottles, including caps and lids, and composite beverage containers, including caps and lids. 

The following four criteria can be used to determine whether a beverage container or bottle falls within the scope of the Regulation:

  • is made completely or partly of plastic, 
  • is not a mug,
  • has a capacity not exceeding three litres, and
  • is a container intended for liquid that is a beverage.

A beverage is a liquid that is consumed by drinking it.

A beverage container may be composed of more than one material, one of which may be plastic. In cases where one of the materials is plastic, the end product is considered to be partly made of plastic and is covered by the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive. For example, when paper or cardboard-based beverage containers have a plastic lining or coating on their surface, they are partly made of plastic and are therefore covered by the directive. 

Glass or metal beverage containers with caps and lids made of plastic are excluded from the directive.

Beverage containers and bottles used for food for special medical purposes as defined in point (g) of Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (21) and which are in liquid form are exempted from Article 6 in accordance with point (b) of Part C and point (b) of Part F of the Annex.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.7 (page 25) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Cups are defined in the Single-Use Products Regulation as glasses, cups or cups intended for drinks (cold or hot) that are usually drunk directly from the container. A mug can be with or without a lid. 

Cups used for liquid, which meet the requirements set out above and which are sold empty, are also covered by the Ordinance (2018:1462) on producer responsibility for packaging.

A cup may be made entirely of plastic or composed of more than one material, one of which may be plastic. In cases where one of the materials is plastic, the end product is considered to be partly made of plastic and is covered by the EU's single-use plastics directive. For example, when paper or cardboard-based cups have a plastic lining or coating on their surface, they are partly made of plastic and are therefore covered by the directive.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.8 (pages 26-27) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

The EU's Single Use Plastics Directive lists caps and lids as closures of beverage containers, beverage bottles and cups. They are used to ensure that the liquid contents do not overflow over the edge and can be transported.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.6 (pages 21-23) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Plate and cutlery

Plates refer to platters from which foods are eaten or served. They may be wrapped in, for example, plastic wrap but lack a lid. 

When these products are placed on the market, they are primarily covered by the following CPV code (13): disposable catering products (39222100-5) and disposable cutlery and plates (39222110-8).

A plate may be made entirely of plastic or composed of more than one material, one of which may be plastic. In cases where one of the materials is plastic, the end product is considered to be partly made of plastic and is covered by the directive. For example, when paper or cardboard-based plates have a plastic lining or coating on their surface, they are partly made of plastic and are therefore covered by the directive.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.4 (page 19) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

The definition of cutlery includes forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks. When these products are placed on the market, they are primarily covered by the following CPV code (13): disposable catering products (39222100-5) and disposable cutlery and plates (39222110-8).

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.4 (page 19) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Straw

Straws are dealt with in point 4 of Part B of the Annex to the Single Use Plastics Directive. Straws which are medical devices are excluded from the Directive. By 'medical device' means any instrument, apparatus, appliance, software, implant, reagent, material or other article intended by the manufacturer to be used, either alone or in combination, in human beings for certain enumerated medical purposes, such as the diagnosis, treatment or alleviation of illness, injury or disability (see Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/745).

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.4 (page 19) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Differences between different products

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine which category a product belongs to. The Commission's guidance on single-use plastic products provides clarifying examples of differences between products. Here we describe some of these differences.

The stiffness of the packaging distinguishes food containers from flexible wrappers. For the purposes of the Single Use Regulation, food containers with stiff or partially stiff packaging should be considered to be food containers, while products with flexible packaging materials should be considered as flexible wrappers. Flexible packaging means that the packaging can be easily bent without breaking. 

Some foods are packaged in a combination of stiff and more flexible materials, such as a sandwich in a stiff container with a plastic film on one side, or certain fruits or processed foods sold in paper trays covered with plastic wrappers. In these cases, the presence of stiff materials in the packaging makes the product should be classified as a food container.

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

If the content is a beverage, the container is a beverage container, beverage bottle or mug. If the contents are food, it is a food container or a flexible wrapper.

A beverage is sold and consumed in liquid form and can be consumed by drinking.

The unit in which the quantity of the food or drink is measured may be used in case of doubt. In general, drinks are expressed by volume (for example, milliliters), and foods are usually expressed by weight (for example, grams). However, in some cases, the quantity of the food or drink is not indicated on the container, especially in the case of containers filled at the point of sale.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.9 (page 28) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

In the case of cups, there are guidelines for determining whether the product in a container is a food or a drink. If, at the time the product is placed on the market, it is unclear whether the product is a cup or a food container, as may be the case for certain containers sold in retail and wholesale shops, the requirements of the Regulation for both types of products must be met. For example, the product must be labelled in accordance with Article 7 to ensure compliance with the Directive.

For clarifying examples of cups, see Table 4.8 (pages 26-27) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Food containers are containers, with or without lids, used to contain food. Plates refer to platters from which food is eaten or served, they may be wrapped in, for example, plastic wrap but lack a lid.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.12 (page 31) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

The most important factor in distinguishing between the three product categories is their shape. 

Beverage containers are containers with a capacity of not more than three litres, including corks and lids, which are used to contain beverages. Beverage packaging made of composite materials should also be considered as beverage containers and not as beverage bottles.

Beverage bottles are a subcategory of beverage containers. Beverage bottles have a narrow neck or orifice and a capacity of not more than three litres, including corks and lids, which are used to contain beverages.

Mugs are normally round, usually bowl-shaped drinking containers, with or without lids, sold empty or with a beverage content. Cups are a separate category of single-use plastic products for the purposes of the Directive.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.10 (pages 29-30) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Sanitary towels, tampons and tampon applicators

Product characteristics of sanitary towels, tampons and disposable tampon applicators include non-washable or non-re-use as washing processes impair the structure and function of these products.

The Directive does not define sanitary towels, tampons and tampon applicators. The general characteristics below can be identified to determine which sanitary towels (pads), tampons and tampon applicators are covered by the Directive.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.18 (page 37) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Disposable sanitary towels are hygiene products used to absorb and retain liquid, usually intended to be disposed of after a single use.

Disposable sanitary towels often consist of several layers of material including an absorbent core consisting mainly of cellulose, synthetic fibres and absorbing liquids. For the purposes of the Directive, sanitary towels are not only sanitary towels but also panty liners, as they are a subcategory of sanitary towels and therefore meet the criteria for single-use plastic products. Both products consist of similar materials and have the same tendency to become marine litter due to the fact that they are often flushed down the toilet after use. They can then enter the marine environment through the sewage system.

Disposable plastic tampons generally consist of three layers, including an absorbent core that is made of either viscose, cotton, polyester or a mixture of these fibres. They can be enclosed in a tampon applicator that is usually made of plastic-coated paper (which contains a thin piece of plastic wrap) or hard plastic. Although some categories of tampons are made of cotton, many have a plastic mesh.

Cotton buds

Cotton buds are dealt with in point 1 of Part B of the Annex to the Single Use Plastics Directive. Cotton buds, which are medical devices, are excluded of the Directive. By 'Medical device' means any instrument, apparatus, appliance, software, implant, reagent, material or other article intended by the manufacturer to be used, either alone or in combination, in human beings for certain enumerated medical purposes, such as the diagnosis, treatment or alleviation of illness, injury or disability (see Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/745).

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.15 (page 34) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

Plastic carrier bags

The general concept of plastic carrier bags is defined in the Single Use Products Regulation as a plastic bag provided to enable consumers to pack and carry goods from the place where the goods are supplied. Lightweight plastic carrier bags are defined as a plastic carrier bag with walls thinner than 50 micrometres. Very lightweight plastic carrier bags are bags thinner than 15 micrometres and are needed for hygiene reasons or supplied for bulk food. Plastic carrier bags designed for long-term use are not covered by the regulation.

For clarifying examples, see Table 4.14 (page 32) of the Commission guidance on single-use plastic products:

Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of th... - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)