The Federal Cabinet decided to amend the Packaging Act. From 2023, restaurants, cafés and bistros will be obliged to offer their customers coffee-to-go or take-away meals in reusable containers. The reusable system RECUP and REBOWL together with over 5,000 dispensing points offers consumers and restaurateurs an uncomplicated and cost-saving reusable alternative throughout Germany. Like the Federal Environment Ministry, the company relies on the deposit system.
The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday (20 Jan 2021) approved the proposal by Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze to amend the Packaging Act. Gastronomy that sells takeaway goods will therefore be obliged to offer their customers reusable cups or containers as an alternative to disposable packaging from 2023. An exception applies to shops with a sales area of up to 80 square meters and a maximum of five employees. Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze: “My goal is that reusable boxes and reusable cups become the new standard for on the go.”
With the comprehensive deposit system for returnable containers, reCup GmbH, as a first mover, already offers the returnable solution for the catering industry, which was decided today in the federal cabinet. Gastronomers can currently test the deposit system for the RECUP cups and REBOWL bowls free of charge for 3 months.
The RECUP deposit cup (c) reCup 
The REBOWL deposit bowl (c) reCup
RECUP and REBOWL deposit system as a solution
The reCup GmbH from Munich is also working on this goal and established a deposit system for to-go cups and takeaway trays 4 years ago, which now extends across Germany. “The RECUP and REBOWL deposit system shows that reusable works”, said Fabian Eckert, managing director of reCup GmbH, today at the press conference of the Federal Environment Ministry. “We know that the catering industry is currently facing major challenges, but we are sure that we will master them together,” Eckert continues. The reCup GmbH deposit system, which saves one-way waste together with partners such as Shell, Alnatura, McDonalds or Bio Company, shows that the reusable alternative does not have to cost more, nor does it mean a loss of the to-go mentality.
With the comprehensive deposit system for returnable containers, reCup GmbH, as a first mover, already offers the returnable solution for the catering industry, which was decided today in the federal cabinet. Gastronomers can currently test the deposit system for the RECUP cups and REBOWL bowls free of charge for 3 months.
Why reCup GmbH relies on a deposit
The fact that the deposit system works in Germany is underscored by the cabinet’s decision to extend the deposit requirement to all single-use plastic beverage bottles and beverage cans.
RECUP and REBOWL also show that an analog deposit system makes reusable items accessible to the masses. The deposit system is easy to use, RECUP and REBOWL deliberately do without an app registration, because this keeps the entry hurdles as low as possible for their partners as well as for users. There is no error-prone technology in the background. Barter by deposit is a common system that is accessible to all ages and social classes and can be easily integrated into everyday life. The minister also sees the advantage of this system: “If you (the reusable containers) have a deposit, then there is a greater incentive to bring them back and not leave them outside,” said Environment Minister Svenja Schulze.
Founded in September 2016, RECUP GmbH has been known for its simple, attractive, and sustainable alternative disposable packagings.
