Tomra is driving forward the cross-system return of reusable cups in supermarkets and is launching a pilot project in selected Rewe stores in Berlin together with Deutsche Umwelthilfe. For the first time, reusable coffee cups can be returned via deposit machines.
The „Berlin challenge cup“ - the reusable coffee cups from Recup and Einfach Mehrweg - can now also be returned to supermarkets. As part of a pilot project initiated by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) with the support of the Berlin Senate, catering businesses, retailers and technology partners are testing how easy it can be to return reusable cups in everyday life. Tomra's take-back technology is also being used in the project: in selected Rewe stores in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, there are the Tomra T9 single-feed deposit machines, which accept both Sykell cups (single returnable) and Recup returnable cups.
Automated returns for a sustainable future
With around two million single-use takeaway packs a day in Berlin alone, there is a great need for action. The pilot project is now set to show whether an uncomplicated return via deposit machines makes the decisive difference - and as a model for other cities can serve.
„We originally developed our machines 52 years ago to take back returnable bottles. Today, reverse vending machines are an integral part of everyday life in Germany - millions of single-use deposit and returnable bottles are returned in this way every day. Now we are going one step further: For the first time, reusable coffee cups can also be returned via deposit machines. Convenient, safe and efficient systems for taking back reusable packaging are essential for clean cities and we have already learnt valuable lessons from our reusable pilot project in Aarhus. We are pleased that our reverse vending machines in Berlin will be part of an open system for reusable packaging for the first time for different companies. It will be interesting for us to see how we can tailor our products even better to the needs of our customers and consumers.“
Sven Hennebach, Senior Manager at Tomra Reuse
The pilot project involves seven Rewe stores in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, which now accept reusable cups as well as bottles and cans. The labelled Recup cups are already available in over 80 businesses in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. The project runs for one year and is supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment.
Source: Tomra
