Engangs

Engangs is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to describe products or items intended for a single use. It is formed from engang, meaning “one time,” with the adjectival form engangs used to denote disposability. The term is commonly applied to consumer goods such as disposable tableware, bags, and packaging, as well as medical or laboratory consumables that are discarded after use.

Usage and scope can be broad, with engangs used to categorize items as single-use or disposable, contrasting with reusable alternatives. In everyday language it appears in discussions of shopping, labeling, and waste, and it is also encountered in policy and industry contexts when distinguishing between single-use and reusable designs.

Environmental and policy context is central to the concept of engangs. The prevalence of disposable products contributes to plastic and packaging waste, prompting public policy and industry responses. Many jurisdictions have introduced measures to limit single-use plastics, promote recycling or composting, and encourage the development of reusable or biodegradable options. Debates around engangs often focus on balancing convenience and public health with environmental sustainability, as well as the lifecycle impacts of materials and waste management practices.

See also: single-use item, disposable product, waste management, circular economy, sustainability.