Everything You Need to Know About the Reusable Packaging Law

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Since January 1, 2023, restaurants are required to offer not only single-use packaging but also reusable packaging as an alternative for take-away food and drinks. The new packaging law, passed in May 2021, and the resulting reusable packaging obligation aim to reduce the use of single-use plastic. The reusable alternatives must not be more expensive than single-use packaging. For example, if a restaurant offers a reusable container for 5 euros and a single-use container costs 20 cents, this would not be allowed. However, a deposit system or a system without a deposit (like Vytal ;)) would be a practical and sensible alternative.

Who Is Affected by the Reusable Packaging Law?

Restaurants, bistros, cafés, and delivery services selling take-away food or to-go drinks are obligated to offer their products in reusable packaging as well. Smaller stores (such as snack bars, late-night shops, and kiosks) with fewer than five employees and a shop floor of less than 80 square meters are exempt from this requirement. However, these businesses must still allow customers to refill their own reusable containers. Restaurant chains (such as Backwerk, Subway, etc.) are not exempt from this exception, as these businesses have more than five employees.

Which Products Are Affected by the Reusable Packaging Law?

Only packaging made of plastic (e.g., plastic, styrofoam) or packaging coated with plastic is affected by the law. These must be replaced with reusable packaging. However, this does not apply to cardboard packaging (e.g., for pizza) or single-use aluminum packaging. So, you might still receive your pizza in cardboard boxes and not in our Pizzycles. Restaurants that use our Vytals are free to decide which packaging they want to replace with reusable options.

Do Restaurants Have to Switch Exclusively to Reusables?

Reusables are only meant as an alternative to single-use options. Restaurants can still offer single-use packaging but must also have reusable options available on-site.

However, switching exclusively to reusable packaging is beneficial for restaurants, because since July 1, 2022, all restaurants are required to register with the packaging registry Lucid. This registration is mandatory, regardless of whether a system participation fee needs to be paid. If food and drinks are only served in Vytal/reusable containers, then just the registration is sufficient. However, if single-use packaging is also used, a system participation contract must be signed, and a fee must be paid. This fee is used for the disposal and recycling of these single-use containers. This flowchart clarifies the process.

What Are the Consequences of Not Complying with the Reusable Packaging Law?

If a restaurant does not comply with the packaging law, it gains a competitive advantage over other restaurants in the same market, as single-use packaging is often offered at a lower cost. To ensure fair competition, compliance with the reusable packaging law is strictly monitored, and violations are pursued both administratively and legally. According to §36 of the VerpackG, penalties of up to 100,000 euros can be imposed. The relevant authorities in each federal state are responsible for checking whether the law is being followed.

If a restaurant has not yet offered a reusable option, feel free to recommend our system to them. Our "love letter" is always a good way to get their attention.

No matter which reusable system your favorite restaurant chooses, it's a step in the right direction and towards a better future!