The waste law has not reached restaurants: "We don't even know what we have to do"

PalmaOn August 12, a law will come into force in Europe prohibiting the use of single-dose sachets for condiments, sauces, and other items in the restaurant industry. This regulation, however, should not have any additional impact on the Balearic Islands because the Archipelago already has its own Waste Law that controls the use of these containers, approved by the previous Pact government. The problem is that this law is not really being applied and not even the restaurateurs themselves know what to do. "There is quite a bit of confusion, we have had to request meetings because we don't even know what to do," explains the manager of CAEB Restauració, Tomeu Mas.

To put the issue of this law into context, the entire conflict began during the pandemic. The regional regulation was approved in 2019, and in 2021, when it came into force, the restaurant sector was exempted to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and the financial losses they had incurred due to the declaration of the state of alarm. In January 2022, when the Waste Law began to be applied to all sectors, restaurateurs did not receive any kind of indication or help, and they currently acknowledge that "it is not being applied." However, they clarify that it is not due to a lack of interest or will; the main cause "is ignorance."

Now, the arrival of this European and state regulation has raised alarms and concerns about the status and application of the Balearic Waste Law. "We don't know what to do, we have requested a meeting with the Ministry because we don't even know how to act or what the key points of the law are that we should follow, nor even with whom we can speak," explains Mas.

His current objective is none other than to know exactly what needs to be done and what changes must be applied to comply with the regulation. "We don't even know who controls it or what it entails, perhaps the regulation will have to be reviewed," assures the manager of CAEB Restauració. In this regard, he assures that he does not know if with the new European regulation they will eliminate the Balearic one or change some of the rules or if everything will remain the same. According to his details, if the regulation applied is the European and state one, the restaurant sector would not face major changes, since "in general it is already complied with", if it is the island one, the situation changes considerably.

Regarding the autonomous Waste Law, Mas assures that it is "much more restrictive" than the European one and criticizes that "it is not as hygienic". "The real application of this law would mean a drastic change in methodology and a great effort that, especially for small businesses, could mean many problems," he assures.

Specifically, it details that the Balearic law is much "harsher" on the issue of recycling, but that in terms of health it is more "dangerous". "Eliminating also the single doses of paper and recyclable plastic would mean that everyone would share the same salt shakers, sugar bowls, sauces, pepper shakers... this is much more unsanitary than what is currently done with single doses of paper or recyclable materials," he criticizes.

One of the questions most frequently asked by clients regarding these possible changes is whether the new regulation could increase the prices in bars and restaurants in the Balearic Islands. "The answer is not easy," Mas defends. "Regarding the purchase price for restaurateurs, I don't think so, because they will buy the same product, but packaged in a larger format, not individually," he explains. Where the change may occur is in the price of the service, assures the manager of CAEB. "The extra work that it will entail for businesses to replace single doses with communal containers that will have to receive special care may indirectly cause an increase in prices," he states. 

What differentiates the Balearic law from the European one?

The main difference is that the Balearic Islands law prohibits single-use individual products much more broadly, while the European regulation focuses mainly on plastic packaging.

The Balearic Waste Law limits the use of individual portions, such as sachets of sugar, sauces, oil, butter, and capsules in the catering sector, regardless of the material they are made from. The rule is based on waste prevention and the reduction of single-use packaging consumption.

On the other hand, the new European Regulation 2025/40 on packaging and waste, approved by the European Parliament and Council in December 2024, establishes restrictions focused especially on single-use plastic packaging.

This implies that the Balearic regulation affects more products and formats than the European one. It should be noted that the Balearic Islands were one of the first autonomous communities in the State to promote specific limitations on single-dose packaging within the catering sector.