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It’s almost time to say goodbye to those little packets of ketchup, sugar and salt that clutter up restaurant tables across Spain. From August 12, 2026, bars and restaurants will be banned from using single-serving sachets for sauces, condiments, oil, vinegar and pretty much anything else that currently comes in tiny plastic packets.

 

The change is down to new EU rules aimed at slashing plastic waste and pushing businesses towards more sustainable practices. The regulation, formally known as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), has been in the pipeline for a while but now there's finally a firm date for when it kicks in.

 

Restaurants and bars will be first to comply, but the timeline extends much further. By 2030, the ban will spread to other sectors including hotels, which will have to ditch those miniature shampoo and shower gel bottles in favour of fixed, refillable containers. Cosmetic products and food packaging will also be affected.

 

There is one big exception though. Single-serving sachets will still be allowed for food delivery orders, with the EU citing hygiene and transportation reasons for the exemption. So restaurants can keep stocking the packets as long as they're only used for takeaway meals. The same exception applies to healthcare and care facilities. So when you order that Saturday night curry, make sure you save any unused ketchup or mayo for later.

 

In 2032, the European Union will review the whole scheme to assess its environmental and health impact. That evaluation will cover not just the sachet ban but also regulations on disposable tableware like cups and plates, as well as the hotel sector's switch to refillable containers.

 

Officials will use the findings to make improvements or adjustments to the rules, with the overall focus remaining on reducing waste that currently makes up the bulk of solid refuse across Europe and causes significant pollution.