Ühekordsete

Ühekordsete is the genitive plural form of ühekordne (single-use) in Estonian and is used to refer to items designed to be used once and discarded after a single occasion. The term covers products intended for temporary use rather than repeated use, spanning various materials and contexts.

Typical examples include disposable tableware such as plastic cutlery, plates and cups, shopping bags, drinking straws, napkins, and packaging materials; as well as items like paper towels and certain one-time personal care products. In sectors such as hospitality, retail and events, ühekordsete goods provide convenience and hygiene, but their rapid turnover generates substantial waste.

Environmental and policy context: ühekordsete waste contributes to municipal solid waste, litter and, in some cases, microplastic pollution if not properly managed. Many jurisdictions, including the European Union, have introduced measures to curb single-use items, promote reuse and recycling, and implement producer-responsibility schemes. The EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive and related national laws aim to limit specific disposable plastics and encourage alternatives such as reusable containers, refillable systems, and compostable materials where suitable.

Estonian context: in Estonia, packaging and consumer waste are regulated under national waste-management regulations aligned with EU policy, with ongoing efforts to reduce ühekordsete usage and improve recycling and circular-economy practices.