Bring Your Own Cup: New EU Packaging Rules for Irish Shops and Cafés
The EU's new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has applied since 12 August 2026. Most of its heavy lifting falls on manufacturers and brands, but a few dates land right on the shop counter, especially if you sell coffee, tea or food to take away.
The first big one for Irish cafés, delis, garages and convenience stores is 12 February 2027. From then on, customers must be allowed to bring their own cup or container and have it filled at no extra cost. Here is what is coming, when, and how to get your counter ready.
Key takeaways
- PPWR is an EU Regulation, so it applies directly in Ireland. It has applied generally since 12 August 2026.
- From 12 February 2027, takeaway food and drink sellers must fill customers’ own containers at no extra charge, and tell customers about it at the point of sale.
- From 12 February 2028, takeaway sellers (except micro-businesses) must also offer a reusable packaging option, at no worse price or terms than single-use.
- From 1 January 2030, several single-use plastic formats are banned, including plastic for food and drink served for eating in.
- Ireland’s planned “latte levy” on disposable cups has not been introduced. The plastic bag levy and the Re-turn deposit scheme already apply.
The PPWR timeline for shops and cafés
| Date | What changes | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 2026 | PPWR applies generally | Mainly producers, importers and brand owners |
| 12 Feb 2027 | Bring your own container: fill it at no extra cost and tell customers at the point of sale | Cafés, restaurants, delis, forecourts and shops selling takeaway drinks or ready-to-eat food |
| 12 Feb 2028 | Offer takeaway food and drink in reusable packaging within a reuse system, at no worse price or terms | Takeaway sellers, except micro-enterprises |
| 12 Aug 2028 | Harmonised sorting labels on packaging start to apply (or later, depending on EU implementing rules) | Producers. Retailers will see new labels on stock |
| 1 Jan 2030 | Bans on certain single-use plastic formats (see below) | Retail, hospitality and accommodation |
| From 2030 | Takeaway sellers should aim to offer 10% of products in reusable packaging | Takeaway sellers, except micro-enterprises |
Bring your own cup: what you will need to do
By 12 February 2027, if you sell drinks or ready-prepared food to take away, you must let customers bring their own container and fill it, without charging more than you would for a single-use cup or box. You must also tell customers that this option exists at the point of sale. A small sign at the till is not just a nice touch any more, it is part of the rule.
Practical steps:
- Tell people clearly. Put a visible notice at the till and at the menu board: "Bring your own cup. We’ll fill it at no extra cost."
- Agree a hygiene routine. Decide how staff accept, check and fill customer cups without cross-contamination, and add it to your food safety management (HACCP) plan.
- Price fairly. The BYO option can’t cost more than single-use. Many cafés already offer a small reusable-cup incentive.
- Give it a home on the counter. A neat spot for customer cups keeps them away from your clean stock and makes the process quick.
The 2030 bans to plan for
From 1 January 2030, PPWR bans a set of single-use plastic packaging formats. Those most relevant to Irish retailers and cafés are:
- Single-use plastic packaging for food and drink filled and eaten on the premises in cafés, restaurants and hotels (plates, cups, trays and boxes used for eat-in).
- Single-use plastic portion packs for sauces, sugar, cream and condiments used on the premises.
- Single-use plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg (with some exceptions).
- Plastic grouping wrap used to bundle cans or bottles at the point of sale.
- Plastic miniature toiletries in hotels and B&Bs.
- Very lightweight plastic carrier bags, with some exceptions.
There are conditions and exemptions, including for some micro-businesses, so check with your packaging supplier before 2030. Loose fruit and veg, bulk bins and refill stations will need good displays, which is where wooden crates come in.
Branded reusable cups for your counter
Want to sell or give away your own reusable cups ahead of February 2027? Our sister site CWDH (cwdh.ie) carries reusable cups and bottles from the Custom Wood Designs custom branding range, which can be printed with your café’s logo.
What already applies in Ireland
| Measure | Status | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic bag levy | In force | 22c per plastic bag, shown on the receipt and paid to Revenue. |
| Deposit Return Scheme (Re-turn) | In force since 1 Feb 2024 | 15c deposit on 150ml to 500ml containers, 25c on over 500ml to 3L. Shops must register, charge the deposit and accept returns unless exempt. Cafés, bars and restaurants register but are automatically exempt from take-back, and must display the exemption notice. |
| "Latte levy" on disposable cups | Not introduced | A charge at the till was dropped. A levy on cup producers and importers has been discussed, but no date has been set. |
Running a café counter? See our guide to sector display ideas, our green claims rules guide (important before you call anything "eco") and the full EU retail rules calendar. Need a custom counter unit for a refill or BYO station? Get in touch.
FAQ
Can I refuse a customer’s cup if it’s dirty?
The rule is about offering the option, not about serving into anything handed over. Set out your hygiene conditions clearly and train staff on them as part of your food safety plan.
Can I charge extra for filling a customer’s own cup?
No. From 12 February 2027 it must be at no extra cost and on no worse terms than single-use.
I run a small café with 5 staff. Do I need a reusable cup scheme in 2028?
Micro-enterprises are exempt from the 2028 reusable packaging duty. The 2027 bring-your-own rule applies to all takeaway sellers.
Is there a disposable cup levy in Ireland?
Not yet. The Government has not set a date, and the latest plans point to a levy on producers rather than a charge at your till.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (EUR-Lex)
- Bird & Bird: PPWR compliance countdown for retail and consumer businesses
- Revenue: Plastic bag environmental levy
- Re-turn: information for retailers
- TheJournal.ie: latte levy update (August 2026)
This guide is general information for Irish retailers, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official sources above before you act.