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A ZENTEK Group initiative

German Single-Use Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG)

Producers of certain single-use plastic products are legally required to contribute towards the costs of collection, cleaning up and awareness-raising measures. Germany’s Single-Use Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG) regulates who is liable to pay the levy, which products are affected and how notifications must be submitted.

Germany’s Single-Use Plastics Fund Act (EWKFondsG) applies in addition to the obligations arising from the Packaging Act and participation in the dual system. It does not replace these obligations.


How it relates to the PPWR:

While Germany’s EWKFondsG is a national implementation requirement for certain single-use plastic products, the EU intends the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to be more comprehensive, covering all packaging. They both aim to prevent waste and promote circular resource management.

Obligations, deadlines and implementation

Who is affected and which products are involved?

The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act applies to producers, importers and fillers who place certain single-use plastic products such as food or beverage containers on the market commercially in Germany. From 2026, the regulation will be extended to include other products.
Affected companies
These include:
  • Producers
  • Importers
  • Fillers

– who place certain single-use plastic products on the market commercially in Germany for the first time.

Affected products
These include:
  • Food containers
  • Packets and wrappers
  • Beverage containers
  • Cups for beverages
  • Lightweight plastic carrier bags
  • Wet wipes
  • Balloons
  • Tobacco products
  • Fireworks
Portal DIVID Logomark

Registration

Affected companies must register on the DIVID portal managed by the German Environment Agency (UBA). If unregistered, affected products may no longer be placed on the market.
Register here

You must report the volume in kilograms placed on the market in the previous year by 15 May.
PRODUCTLEVY RATES
Food containers
0.177 €/kg
Packets and wrappers
0.876 €/kg
Beverage containers on which a deposit is not charged
0.181 €/kg
Beverage containers on which a deposit is charged
0.001 €/kg
Cups for beverages
1.236 €/kg
Lightweight plastic carrier bags
3.801 €/kg
Wet wipes
0.061 €/kg
Balloons
4.340 €/kg
Tobacco products with filters and filters for tobacco products
8.972 €/kg

Case study – chocolate bars

Chocolate Bar

Registration on DIVID

A chocolate bar producer creates a producer account on the UBA portal and enters its master data. Only then may the products in question be placed on the market.
Chocolate Bar on a Weight Scale

Volume recording

The annual volume of chocolate bar wrappers is calculated in kilograms (e.g. via incoming/outgoing goods records, delivery and inventory data) and clearly documented – the basis for notification and, if necessary, verification.
3D depiction of calendar, notification, a calculator and euro

Annual notification
and levyby 15 May

Report the volume on DIVID, calculate the levy
and pay it on time.

Example: 2,000 kg × 0.876 €/kg = €1,752

Keep all calculations and evidence for verification purposes.

We’re here to help you.

We will train and raise awareness among your employees – covering everything from product categories to obligations and deadlines.
The benefits for you: as well as complying with all the legal requirements, you will also profit from straightforward administration and gain a valuable database that will put your company in a strong position for the future – including with regard to the PPWR.
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