Food delivery apps to offer reusable packaging option from 2028
From 2028, food delivery apps will be required to provide customers with a reusable packaging option under new EU rules. Some restaurants express concerns over additional costs and workload, while platforms like Bolt Food do not foresee an impact on couriers.
A bill being drafted in Estonia will require that from 2028, all food outlets offering takeaway meals, including via delivery apps, must offer customers a choice between single-use and reusable packaging. These changes accompany broader EU packaging regulations.
Dagny Repp, head of packaging policy at the Ministry of Climate, stated that the draft legislation includes a technical solution allowing consumers to choose the packaging type when placing an order. This enables food outlets to meet the obligation through delivery platforms.
Bolt Food, one of Estonia's primary food delivery platforms, says the rule change will not create additional work. Triin Toimetaja, head of strategy at Bolt Food, noted that the option to choose reusable packaging is already available for restaurants that want it. However, she does not foresee couriers being involved in a return system for reusable containers, citing questions about payment and convenience.
Not all restaurants welcome the change. Dmitri Žuk, owner of Buzz Kebab, understands the environmental need but fears significant additional work and costs. He has invested heavily in his packaging design and worries that reusable containers will undermine those efforts.
The reusable packaging requirement is part of broader EU reforms. Single-use tableware will be banned for dine-in service, and businesses must use reusable dishes in those cases. Additionally, some fruits and vegetables will be banned from being sold individually shrink-wrapped in plastic. These changes are due to take effect from 2030, but final regulations are not yet finalized.
