New environmental standards will completely ban several common types of packaging. The changes will affect several key areas:
Plastic wrap for suitcases. Wrapping luggage in stretch film at train stations and airports will be forbidden. Travelers will need to buy reusable fabric covers, use special luggage straps, or built-in locks.
Mini toiletries in hotels. European hotels will no longer be able to give guests tiny bottles of shampoo, shower gel, lotion, or single-use soap. These will be replaced by large, refillable dispensers securely mounted on bathroom walls.
Single-use portions in cafes. Restaurants and cafes will stop giving out small packets of sugar, salt, pepper, honey, cream, or jam. Instead, establishments will switch to classic large salt shakers, sugar bowls, and reusable dispensers for sauces.
Plastic packaging for vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables weighing up to 1.5 kg will no longer be sold in single-use plastic, except when critically needed to prevent rapid spoilage.
Why businesses are sounding the alarm
A significant challenge for manufacturers will be the ban on plastic shrink wrap, which is currently used to bundle multiple bottles together (for example, standard six-packs of two-liter bottles of water or soft drinks). According to the new rules, products will have to be sold individually or use reusable packaging.
However, beverage manufacturers do not yet have a ready solution. Industry representatives note that eco-friendly paper and cardboard holders simply tear under the weight of heavy water bottles, and a cost-effective and durable alternative to plastic does not currently exist on the market.
How to prepare now
For Ukrainians in Slovakia, this means a gradual change in consumer habits. Although there is still time before the full ban, it is worth starting to adapt:
Buy a reusable suitcase cover. If you often fly with low-cost airlines from airports in Bratislava, Kosice, or Vienna and worry about protecting your luggage from scratches, this is a reliable investment that will pay for itself after a few flights.
Bring your own toiletries when traveling. Get used to the fact that European hotels will no longer have individual sets. If you have specific needs or sensitive skin, transfer your favorite products into your own reusable silicone travel containers.
Pay attention to labeling. Starting this August, more and more products will appear on the market with new European labels explaining how to properly dispose of packaging.
