Straw ban: the EU single-use plastics ban at a glance

EU single-use plastic ban: reusable straws as the alternative

In May 2018 the EU Commission proposed a measure to curb single-use plastic products. The ban has also applied in Germany since 3 July 2021. Businesses need to rethink and find new ways to make hospitality more sustainable. In the long term, the law can therefore be seen as an opportunity to reposition yourself and benefit from the changes.

HALM glass straws for hospitality

HALM glass straws as a reusable solution for hospitality

Switching to a reusable alternative pays off not only for the sake of the environment but also for cost reasons, because every production run consumes resources, even if they are of natural origin or recycled. In hospitality, HALM straws are also a real eye-catcher: not only in bars, restaurants and cafés, but also in hotels, in catering or at weddings.

A reusable straw does cost more to buy, but its service life is considerably longer, so recurring purchasing costs disappear. HALM straws are also hygienic, HACCP-compliant and easy to clean in the dishwasher. Thanks to their great strength and robustness, they offer lasting added value as well.

The special glass used by HALM is completely taste-neutral and free from toxins. Thanks to years of experience and double quality control in production, HALM is the sturdiest and safest option for a sustainable drinking experience.

Save money with HALM

Thanks to its long service life and reusability, HALM saves you a great deal in replacement costs.

Material	Cost / unit ⓘ	Initial cost ⓘ	Restocking cost / month ⓘ	Restocking cost / year ⓘ	Total cost / year ⓘ
Single-use
Wood	€0.14	€700	€700	€8,400	€8,400
Grass	€0.10	€500	€500	€6,000	€6,000
Grain	€0.05	€250	€250	€3,000	€3,000
Bagasse (sugar cane)	€0.05	€250	€250	€3,000	€3,000
Paper	€0.03	€150	€150	€1,800	€1,800
Pasta	€0.02	€100	€100	€1,200	€1,200
Bamboo	€0.01	€50	€50	€600	€600
Plastic ⓘ	€0.01	€50	€50	€600	€600
Reusable
Silicone	€0.49	€294	–	€58.80	€352.80
Metal	€0.76	€152	–	€91.20	€243.20
HALM glass straws	€0.48	€96	–	€57.60	€153.60

← Swipe horizontally to compare →

More about saving costs with HALM

The benefits of HALM glass straws at a glance

Plastic-free, hygienic, HACCP-compliant, good-looking: that is why HALM glass straws belong in hospitality.

Benefits of HALM glass straws

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Single-use plastic ban 2021: the law at a glance

More than 80% of marine litter is plastic waste. Europe alone generates around 25 million tonnes of plastic waste per year. The European Union wants to reduce the amount of plastic in the sea. Promoting reusable alternatives and banning certain single-use and microplastic items are key to this.

Ban on the sale of certain single-use plastic products since 3 July 2021
Manufacturers are obliged to use recycled material or to make recyclable products
Manufacturers contribute to the cost of disposing of plastic waste

What is no longer permitted since the single-use plastic ban?

Plastic straws
Plastic tableware (plates, bowls)
Plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks)
Stirrers
Packaging for hot food and drinks made of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam)
Plastic balloon sticks
Plastic cotton buds
Bioplastic alternatives (bio-based and biodegradable plastic products, e.g. straws)

What is still permitted despite the single-use plastic ban?

Reusable solutions made of glass or stainless steel, and deposit schemes
Single-use food packaging and single-use cups made of plastic (but significantly reduced)
Single-use plastic drinks containers only if lids and caps are firmly attached to them
Compostable alternatives made from plant-based and renewable raw materials (e.g. cellulose, sugar cane, palm leaf, paper)
Edible cutlery and tableware made from grain
All alternatives must be HACCP-compliant

Since 2023: the obligation to offer reusables

Since January 2023, Germany has also had an obligation to offer reusables: anyone selling food and drinks to take away must also offer a reusable alternative to single-use packaging.

Further bans, for example on handing out single-use plastic free of charge, are under discussion.

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FAQ: frequently asked questions

The ban on certain single-use plastic products has applied throughout the European Union since 3 July 2021. In Germany, the obligation to offer reusables has applied in addition since 2023.

Single-use plastic products for which environmentally friendly alternatives already exist are banned. These include, for example, plastic straws, plastic tableware and cutlery, stirrers and polystyrene packaging.

All alternatives must be HACCP-compliant. Some single-use packaging and cups made of plastic are still permitted, but on a much reduced scale. In addition, reusable alternatives made of glass, hard plastic, stainless steel and wood, as well as deposit schemes, should be used. Compostable plant-based alternatives and edible cutlery and tableware made from grain are also fine.

Every day around three billion plastic straws are used worldwide and then thrown away, and a large share of them ends up in the environment and in the oceans. The EU passed this law to reduce the amount of plastic in the sea. The best reusable alternative to plastic straws is glass straws.

With single-use products, resources are consumed afresh for every use. A reusable product has a long service life and saves recurring purchasing costs.

Yes, glass straws are the most hygienic reusable alternative because they are transparent and easy to clean in the dishwasher.

Sources
strohhalmverbot.de/gesetz