Gimsel, an organic supermarket based in Rotterdam, has become the first in the Netherlands to meet the upcoming requirements of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), set to take effect in 2026. The regulation introduces stricter sustainability standards for packaging, including a requirement for certain single-use plastics, such as ultrathin bags, to be compostable.
In collaboration with packaging supplier Bio4Pack, Gimsel has redesigned its compostable fruit and vegetable bags to comply with the new PPWR standards. The supermarket has reduced the material thickness from 18 to 15 microns, the maximum allowed under the new legislation, making the bags fully compostable and compliant ahead of schedule.
© Bio4Pack
Gimsel has a long history of promoting sustainable retail practices. Since the early 2000s, the supermarket has provided compostable packaging alternatives for fresh produce. Its partnership with Bio4Pack began in 2009, when the company became the supplier's first retail customer. The collaboration has focused on developing packaging solutions that are both functional and environmentally sustainable.
The updated compostable bags are designed for multiple uses. Customers can reuse them at home as kitchen waste bags for fruit and vegetable scraps, allowing them to be disposed of directly with organic waste. The supermarket states that this adaptation encourages reuse and supports circular waste management.
According to Gimsel's owner, Roosmarijn Saat, the supermarket's goal has been to anticipate environmental regulations rather than respond to them after implementation. "During our long-standing collaboration with Patrick from Bio4Pack, he's always been proactive. Patrick closely monitors innovations and helps Gimsel make its packaging more sustainable," Saat said.
By implementing the new compostable bags ahead of the 2026 PPWR deadline, Gimsel Rotterdam positions itself as an early adopter of the EU's circular economy objectives within the retail sector.
© Bio4PackFor more information:
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