Bye bye “to go” - reusables become mandatory for food and beverage companies
Cafés, restaurants, and all other establishments that offer food "to go" will have to use reusable packaging for food and beverages starting from 2023. However, they will still be allowed to use disposable packaging. It will then be up to customers to decide whether to choose the more environmentally friendly alternative. Only a small deposit may be charged for the reusable system - as you know it from the Recups or Rebowls, for example. However, snack bars, Sp?tis and kiosks have a special position; they do not have to offer reusable packaging for a falafel wrap, for example. The regulation only applies to stores with 80 square meters or more and at least five employees.
Which type of packaging is to be substituted by reusables?
The obligation applies to all packaging that is partly or completely made of plastic. Even paper cups and other packaging that "looks like it's made of cardboard" are almost always coated with a plastic layer on the inside. This also applies to ice cream cups, for example, as these are rarely available without a plastic layer. Pizza boxes, on the other hand, often manage without a coating. The focus is basically on disposable packaging from which the food is consumed directly, and which then ends up in the trash again. Legislation has exempted disposable bags and disposable film packaging, e.g. for sandwiches, from the reusable obligation, even though they also contain plastic. They are often also used for storage.
Companies in the food trade and catering can fulfil the new reusable obligation in various ways. They can set up their own reusable system and purchase appropriate tableware to hand out to customers. Or they can join one of the existing reusable pool systems. The pool systems now exist as large nationwide chains or in regional form. Many local authorities support their businesses in introducing a reusable system, some even financially.
Which sensible and practicable solutions for reusables are there?
In principle, there are two solutions. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The first solution requires that you must pay a deposit and get it back when you return your cup or container. This is easy to handle, but it means that you directly have an extra expense when you buy something.
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The other system works via an app and a QR code. You don't have to pay anything extra for the first time. Only those who do not return the scanned packaging within a certain period will have money debited from their account. However, this solution means that you must register in person and enter your payment data. That is certainly a hurdle for many people.
Non-compliance may result in fines
When voluntary compliance ends in January 2023, the new legal obligation to use reusable packaging will also mean that the authorities will be able to carry out inspections. And beware: non-compliance with the requirements of the Packaging Act can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 euros (1).
REMONDIS as one of the leading companies in the recycling and waste management business is currently teaming up with some major players in the food industry to establish a circular process flow of reusable dishes and cups on a large scale. We are looking forward to communicating more details soon.
(1)???https://www.deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de/mehrweg-pflicht-das-gilt-ab-2023-264817/