A one-year multi-use pilot project has now concluded in Berlin, in which the cross-system return of reusable to-go cups via existing deposit return machines in Rewe supermarkets was tested. The results are positive: the return functions reliably both technically and logistically and is very well received by consumers. 95 percent of respondents rated the return as practical, and more than 80 percent would rather use reusable cups than single-use ones if such return options were available.
The twelve-month pilot project by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), the Berlin Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment, Rewe, Recup, Sykell, Profimiet, Sielaff and Tomra has shown: empty container machines in food retail make it easier to return reusable to-go cups. More than 80 Recup partner businesses and eight Rewe supermarkets participated in the practical test in the pilot area of Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg.
In Rewe stores, Recup reusable cups from surrounding catering businesses were accepted back through existing deposit return machines. The deposit could be redeemed as usual via a deposit receipt. Return and professional cleaning were carried out via the already established reusable infrastructure of the reusable provider Sykell, which was used jointly for the first time in this pilot project. The project was scientifically supported by the Kühne Logistics University (KLU).
Technical implementation and logistics
The technical implementation of returning reusable cups via empty container machines was made possible by software adjustments from machine manufacturers Sielaff and Tomra. The introduction of a uniform labelling standard in the form of Data Matrix codes, which ensure correct recognition of the cups by the machines, was crucial. The logistics and cleaning of the cups were handled by Sykell in cooperation with Profimiet.
The economic dimension is also interesting: thanks to shared structures for returns, transport and cleaning, the circulating costs of reusable packaging could be reduced by up to 60 percent, according to calculations by project partner Sykell.
High consumer acceptance
Consumer acceptance is a key success factor for the reusable pilot project. Around 95 percent of the Berliners surveyed rated returning items via reverse vending machines as convenient. Over 80 percent of respondents stated that they would be more likely to use reusable items than single-use items if returns were possible via machines in retail outlets. Returns were often made in combination with returning deposit bottles, which builds on established consumer behaviour.
Relief for the catering industry
For catering businesses, returns via empty container machines represent a significant relief. The manual acceptance and cleaning of reusable cups in the businesses is eliminated, which reduces the workload, particularly with increasing reusable rates. Over 70 percent of the restaurateurs surveyed were in favour of expanding return options via empty container machines.
The results of the pilot project offer valuable insights for the future design of reusable systems in Germany. The combination of technical implementation, logistical efficiency, and high consumer acceptance shows that the widespread introduction of such systems is possible and makes sense. The DUH therefore calls for a nationwide return obligation for reusable takeaway packaging in the food retail sector.
Source: German Environmental Aid
