No single-use plastic packaging from May: you’ll have to pay

With the arrival of the new administration of US President Donald Trump, attitudes towards the environment and sustainability across the Atlantic are undergoing a significant change, but the European Union (EU), even in the face of the current geo-political situation, has made its green policy one of its priorities. This is reflected in the fact that since 1 May. New restrictions on the free distribution of single-use plastic packaging in catering establishments in Lithuania will come into force on May 1. These changes are part of the EU’s green initiatives to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable consumption.

What is changing and who will be exempted? What are the penalties? Simona Bumblauskytė-Kiauleikienė, Associate Partner at law firm Ellex Valiunas, explains more.

What will change and who is exempt?

“As of 1 May, a ban on the free distribution of single-use plastic food and beverage packaging by catering establishments comes into force. However, exemptions will apply to businesses selling on beaches and at mass events. In such cases, single-use plastic food and drink packaging will only be allowed to be sold subject to a deposit, which can be recovered from consumers by returning the used packaging. The ban will also not apply if the food or drink has been delivered to the point of sale already packaged for individual consumption,” says S. Bumblauskytė-Kiauleikienė.

Caterers will have to offer plastic-free alternatives – single-use packaging, reusable packaging, tableware, she says. However, the provision of alternatives will not be compulsory for takeaway food and drink.

The regime will increase demand for sustainable packaging

The lawyer says that around 40 million disposable coffee cups are used every year in Lithuania, most of which are not recycled and become a source of pollution. Stricter regulation will contribute to an increase in the production of more environmentally friendly packaging, which will reduce the amount of plastic waste in the mixed waste stream. The new regulation should also contribute to a more sustainable catering system.

Fines of up to €5,000 for non-compliance

“In order to monitor compliance with the new regulation, the Department of Environmental Protection will start carrying out targeted inspections in Lithuanian catering establishments from the second half of 2025. Fines of between €1,000 and €5,000 will be imposed on those who fail to comply with the new regulation, and between €30 and €200 on natural persons,” says lawyer Simona Bumblauskytė-Kiauleikienė.

With the constant talk in recent weeks that the US is planning to fully promote the development of the fossil fuel industry, it seems that the world’s green policy today is based only on Europe. It is to be welcomed that the EU is very serious about these issues and continues to be successful in implementing its green policy.