Packaging which is given to private final consumers by shopkeepers is considered to be packaging subject to system participation. 

 

This means that it has to participte in the collection and recycling  system of a dual system (e.g. yellow bin, yellow bag). Now it is important to keep on overview and clarify important questions and terms concerning sales and secondary packaging from the shop and the obligations for the shopkeeper:

Shopkeeper-infos

Carrier bags made of paper and plastic, plastic wrap, aluminium foil, folding boxes or trays for the consumption of food, drink cups, bread roll bags etc. - all these are typical examples of packaging which is filled with goods only immediately before handover to the customer. They belong to the so-called service packaging* and must be included in the collection and recycling system of a dual system. It is possible, however, that my packaging supplier has already participated this service packaging in a dual system (for this, it is best to contact my supplier and obtain proof of participation if necessary). If this is not the case, I have to participate this packaging myself.

*The term service packaging includes all sales packaging of the retail trade, gastronomy and other service providers that enable or support the transfer of goods to the final consumer.

All packaging components with which the self-produced goods are packaged and then passed on to the private final consumer must participate in the collection and recycling system of a dual system.

If I have ordered goods within Germany that are already packed, I do not have to participate this packing. The participation of this packaging should be done by my supplier. Only if I add packaging or packaging components myself and then pass them on to my customers, I am  obliged to participate them in the collection and recycling system of a dual system.

If I import packaged goods from abroad, I am usually obliged to participate them in collection and recycling system of a dual system if I am legally responsible for these goods when they cross the border. Furthermore, all packaging components that I add myself must also participate in a dual system.

First of all for the goods that I send via my online shop, the same applies as in my shop. I register all packaging with the collection and recycling system of a dual system in which I pack my self-produced goods or all packaging components that I add to the goods and which I then send to final consumers.

Especially important for online traders is the regulation for dispatch packaging! These too (e.g. shipping bags with or without air cushions, other envelopes, shipping cartons, filling material such as polystyrene chips, cushioned cardboard or bubble packs, tissue paper, stretch films, bubble wrap, foam films, parcel tape, delivery note bags, straps or corrugated cardboard) are subject to participation and must participate in a dual system.

Companies such as restaurants, petrol stations, hospitals or administrations etc. are considered to be private final consumers (so-called comparable sources of waste). I therefore participate all packaging in the collection and recycling system of a dual system in which I pack my self-produced goods or all packaging or packaging components which I add to the goods and which I then sell to such a company.

VerpackGO Your License calculator

Our find-out tool is a first orientation aid without guarantee of correctness and completeness. In particular, it does not constitute legal advice. To find out more about whether or which of your packaging is subject to system participation in Germany, please vistit www.verpackungsregister.org.