{"id":73607,"date":"2023-01-04T16:33:45","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T15:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=73607"},"modified":"2023-01-04T16:33:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T15:33:45","slug":"duh-criticises-mandatory-reusable-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/duh-kritik-an-mehrwegangebotspflicht\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the obligation to offer reusable packaging in danger of coming to nothing?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The obligation to offer reusable drinks in the catering trade has been in force since 1 January. The German Environmental Aid organisation (DUH) has criticised the new regulation: exemptions and a lack of discrimination against single-use products are jeopardising its effectiveness. DUH is therefore calling for an additional single-use levy and the closure of loopholes.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

It is true that it is the right approach that catering establishments must also offer ready-to-eat food and drinks in reusable packaging. However, the regulation contains neither specifications as to how much reusable material should be used, nor financial penalisation of environmentally and climate-damaging disposable material<\/strong>according to the DUH.<\/p>

To ensure that as many people as possible switch to reusable packaging, the organisation is calling for a tax of at least 20 cents on disposable crockery.<\/strong> This is the only way to give customers a real incentive to favour reusable over disposable. The environmental and consumer protection association recommends that the catering industry use standard reusable cups and food boxes across companies. This makes reusable containers more efficient to handle and easier to return. In addition, the obligation to offer reusable containers must be consistently monitored by the lower waste authorities and trade supervisory offices.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>

\"If reusable packaging is to become the new standard for ready-to-eat food and drinks in the catering industry, then financial parity with disposable packaging is not enough. because without improvements, the disposable version remains easier to use.<\/strong> That is why we are calling for the use of standardised reusable systems and a levy of at least 20 cents on disposable cups, boxes and cutlery. This will make the more environmentally friendly reusable option more attractive than disposable. The municipal single-use packaging tax in T\u00fcbingen has already impressively demonstrated that reusable packaging can be successfully promoted in this way.\"<\/p>

Barbara Metz,<\/strong> DUH Federal Managing Director
<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Criticism of exemptions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The DUH is also critical of various exemptions, for example for small businesses: Those with up to five employees and no more than 80 square metres of retail space, can also fulfil the obligation to provide reusable containers by filling the containers they have brought with them<\/strong> - It is then not necessary to provide your own reusable packaging. This eliminates the need for thousands of distribution points. In addition Loopholes for disposable packaging made of pure cardboard and aluminium.<\/strong> For example, catering businesses that use pizza boxes or disposable aluminium trays do not have to offer reusable containers or fill reusable containers brought in.<\/p>

The successful use of the reusable offer depends largely on whether consumers also receive information on this. From January 2023, catering establishments will be obliged to inform customers by Clearly visible and legible information boards on the respective reusable offer<\/strong> to point out.<\/p>