Recycled content in single-use plastic drinks bottles in Germany: 25%, then 30%

Q: Do single-use PET bottles sold in Germany need recycled content?

Yes. § 45(1) VerpackDG: single-use drinks bottles made mainly of PET may be made available only if each contains at least 25% recycled plastic by mass. From 1 January 2030, § 45(2) raises this to 30% for single-use plastic drinks bottles. Under § 45(3) you can instead meet the 25% across all bottles you make available in a year, documented verifiably.

Do single-use PET bottles sold in Germany need recycled content?

Yes. § 45 VerpackDG: single-use PET drinks bottles need at least 25% recycled plastic, and single-use plastic drinks bottles 30% from 1 January 2030.

Since 12 August 2026, § 5 VerpackDG, implementing Article 45(3) of Regulation (EU) 2025/40, requires a producer with no establishment in Germany to appoint an authorised representative before it first makes packaging available in Germany. Read § 5

By Razvan Toma · Founder · Last checked 7 November 2026 · Sources linked below

Quick answer

Yes. § 45(1) VerpackDG: single-use plastic drinks bottles made mainly of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) may be made available in Germany only if each contains at least 25% recycled plastic by mass. § 45(2): from 1 January 2030, single-use plastic drinks bottles need at least 30%. § 45(3): you may meet the 25% across the total mass of bottles you make available in a calendar year, if you document the recycled and total plastics used in verifiable form and show it to the Land authority on request. VerpackDG § 45

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