From the first day of 2022 France removes the Plastic bottles in fruits and vegetables. The measure is part of the French President Emmanuel Macron's law against plastic, which will be carried out progressively. will end in 2026. Meanwhile, in Spain a gradual elimination is planned from next year 2023. In this way, the sector must seek more sustainable solutions.
More than 30 varieties of fruit and vegetables without plastic packaging
This measure will affect, in the first phase, the 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables more resistant. Specifically, the varieties of vegetables such as leeks, courgettes, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots... It also affects different varieties of tubers other than potato. Regarding fruits, those that are affected in this phase are: apples, pears, oranges, clementines, kiwis, tangerines, lemons, grapefruit, plums, melons, tropical pineapple, mangoes, passion fruit and persimmons.
In this way it ends with Plastic bottles y films for unprocessed fruits and vegetables in France. In the second phase, the plastics in onions, early turnips, Brussels sprouts, green beans, grapes, peaches, nectarines and apricots will be eliminated. These may be packaged in plastic until June 30, 2023.
More adaptation time for the most sensitive products
In the next phase it will be the turn for endives, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, potatoes Baby, early carrots, salad, lettuce, baby sprouts, aromatic herbs, spinach, edible flowers, cherries and blueberries. They may be packed in plastic up to December 31th 2024. Finally, it will be the turn of the most sensitive products such as sprouts, red fruits and very ripe fruits. These may be packaged up to June 30th, 2026 in plastic
The end of plastics
Although the process of eliminating plastic will be long, it has already begun in France. Producers of fruits and vegetables have stated that currently due to the scarcity of resources and the cost of alternative solutions It is not the best time to implement this measure. They also make it clear that the use of plastics in fruits and vegetables does not reach 1,5% of total packaging which overall represents the 45% of the plastic used in France.
