RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • España - ES
  • France - FR
  • Europe - EN
Newsletter
  • Register for free
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • EVENTS 2026
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising & Paid content
    • RETAIL FILES – EDITORIAL CALENDAR
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING & PAID CONTENT
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • España - ES
  • France - FR
  • Europe - EN
  • Newsletter
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
    • EVENTS 2026
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
  • Advertising & Paid content
    • RETAIL FILES – EDITORIAL CALENDAR
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING & PAID CONTENT
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
  • Members’ area
Newsletter
  • Register for free
Members' area
  • Log in
  • Become a member
thumb
Written by Jorg Snoeck
In this article
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Belgium bans plastic cotton buds and tableware

icon
General24 January, 2022

As of today, the sale of various single-use plastic products, such as cutlery, cotton buds and straws, will no longer be allowed in Belgium.

 

Europe

The ban, which is an implementation of European legislation, applies to plastic cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws (except for straws sold in pharmacies for people with a drinking and/or eating difficulty), cocktail stirrers, party balloon sticks, containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene (including caps and lids), food containers made from expanded polystyrene to hold food for immediate consumption, used, for example, for fast-food meals, and products made of oxo-degradable plastics. An exception is made for existing stocks, Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen writes.

Sign up for our newsletter for free

 

In addition, four product categories will get a label to indicate the presence of plastic and its impact on the environment. These include sanitary towels, tampons and applicators for tampons, wet wipes for personal hygiene, cups and tobacco products with filters and filters intended for use in combination with tobacco products.

 

At the beginning of next year, plastic carrier bags in stores will also be banned. However, very light plastic bags, reusable plastic bags that meet specific requirements and bags delivered to airports for security reasons would still be allowed.

More about... General
See more
  • icon
    General12 June, 2026
    How Joybuy aims to outpace Amazon

    With faster delivery, an optimized product range, and competitive prices, Joybuy, a subsidiary of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, aims to establish itself in the European market.

  • icon
    General11 June, 2026
    From checkout to strategic platform: why payments are the engine of growth for retail

    Retailers have been investing in store concepts, data, and loyalty programs for years. Yet one of the most critical factors for growth often remains out of the spotlight: payments. What was long considered the final step in the customer journey is now evolving into a central link that directly impacts...

  • icon
    General11 June, 2026
    The biggest polluters in returns: just 15% of customers are responsible for 60% of emissions

    For many online retailers, free returns have been a powerful selling point for years. But it is precisely this flexibility that leads a small group of online shoppers to return products en masse. New research from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) shows that just 15% of consumers are responsible for...

Events
  • 16
    Sep
    CAPTAINS OF RETAIL – SEPTEMBER 2026
  • 24
    Sep
    RETAIL MARKETING DAY
  • 19
    Nov
    RETAILDETAIL NIGHT 2026
Most read
  • icon
    Fashion28 May, 2026
    Why Inditex is fully committing to diversification and artificial intelligence
  • icon
    Fashion19 May, 2026
    Zalando signs five-year partnership with Belgian football association
  • icon
    Fashion27 May, 2026
    Blockade of Belgian H&M distribution centre disrupts European supply chain
  • icon
    Beauty/Care20 May, 2026
    Nestlé and Danone under fire following infant formula crisis: still contaminated products
Follow RetailDetail
  • socialFacebook
  • socialTwitter
  • socialInstagram
  • sociallinkedIn
Since 2009, RetailDetail has been the leading B2B platform for the retail sector in Europe.
As a "100% trusted medium" and a strong retail community, RetailDetail provides professionals with reliable daily news, sharp insights and relevant sector analysis.
In addition, RetailDetail brings the market together through inspiring events and exclusive retail tours, where knowledge-sharing, networking and innovation take centre stage.
footer-logo
Mailing Address
Genuastraat 1/41
2000 Antwerp
Contact & address
About us
info@retaildetail.be

© 2026 RetailDetail
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT