The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act – 
Obligations for Manufacturers and Distributors
 

The law affects a variety of single-use plastic products. Here is a list of the affected products:

1. Food Containers: Containers such as boxes with or without lids for food that a) are intended to be consumed immediately, either on-site or as takeaway meals, b) are usually consumed directly from the container, and c) can be consumed without further preparation such as cooking, boiling, or heating. Beverage containers, beverage cups, plates, bags, and film packaging such as wrappers with food content are not considered food containers in this sense.
    
2. Bags and Film Packaging: Bags and film packaging made of flexible material, such as wrappers with food content that a) is intended to be consumed directly from the bag or film packaging, and b) does not require further preparation;
    
3. Beverage Containers: Containers with a volume of up to 3.0 liters, such as deposit and non-deposit beverage bottles and composite beverage packaging, including their closures and lids; beverage containers made of glass or metal with plastic closures or lids are not considered beverage containers in this sense;
    
4. Beverage Cups: Including their closures and lids;
    
5. Lightweight Plastic Carrier Bags: Plastic carrier bags with a wall thickness of less than 50 micrometers, with or without handles, offered to consumers at the point of sale of goods or products;
    
6. Wet Wipes: Pre-moistened wipes for body and household care;
    
7. Balloons: Excluding balloons for industrial or commercial purposes and applications not supplied to consumers;
    
8. Tobacco Products with Filters: And filters intended for use in combination with tobacco products.

Fireworks within the meaning of Section 3 Paragraph 1 Number 4 of the Explosives Act are included in the list of single-use plastic products (Appendix 1 EWKFondsG) from January 1, 2026. 

Garbage bags and breakfast or cling film bags are not considered "carrier bags" within the meaning of Number 5 of Appendix 1 to the EWKFondsG and are not covered by the EWKFondsG.