Deutsche Umwelthilfe complains that even two years after the introduction of the obligation to offer reusable food, large catering chains are still boycotting reusable food. In new tests, DUH found violations in 7 of 15 branches of Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Nordsee and Vapiano that it visited and has taken legal action.
Although a reusable offer was advertised on signs or screens, the test subjects received not for all desired drinks or dishes a reusable container. According to the DUH, the fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken stands out particularly negatively: None of the branches tested provided a complete range of reusable containers.
DUH therefore believes that the obligation to offer reusable packaging has failed and is calling on the next German government to make improvements as quickly as possible. In particular, this includes financial incentives for businesses and consumers to use reusable packaging, for example through a nationwide levy on disposable takeaway packaging.
„Our new test visits show that even after two years, catering businesses are not taking the obligation to offer reusable packaging seriously. Excuses such as reusable packaging is not available or can only be issued for online orders prevent consumers from using environmentally friendly reusable packaging. There is an urgent need for a financial incentive to use reusable packaging, both on the part of catering businesses and consumers. Tübingen and, as of a few days ago, Constance have shown that this is the right way to reduce single-use waste by introducing municipal packaging taxes. We call on the next federal government to follow suit with a nationwide single-use tax. It should also introduce a reusable offer for disposable paper boxes as soon as possible, which have so far been exempt from the obligation, in order to promote reusable solutions for pizza boxes, for example.“
Barbara Metz, Federal Managing Director of DUH
In the Vapiano branches tested, no violation of the obligation to offer reusable packaging was found, but the implementation is far from exemplary: the chain uses an individual reusable packaging system and deposits the cups with a very high amount of 5.50 euros, which makes reusable cups unattractive. The 50 cent deposit on the reusable boxes on offer, on the other hand, is far too low to create a sufficient incentive to return them.
„Reusable is not just reusable. The catering industry should make it as easy as possible for consumers to use reusable products by means of cross-company and standardised reusable pool systems. During a total of 180 test visits over a period of two years, our test subjects were not actively made aware of the reusable offer by sales staff even once. So most people remain unaware of reusable packaging.“
Elena Schägg, Deputy DUH Head of Circular Economy
The DUH has A total of 43 test visits to eight catering chains in 2024 20 violations were identified and legal action taken. Among other things, McDonald's was forced to improve its reusable offer in the branches tested. So far, DUH has won 13 court cases in the past two years, for example against BackWerk, Dunkin Donuts, Nordsee and Yormas. Further legal proceedings against six companies are still being negotiated.
Source: DUH
