Reusable instead of disposable: Germany's reusable packaging obligation, tableware rental and deposit systems

Germany has had a reusable packaging obligation since 1 January 2023. Any business that fills food into single-use plastic packaging or drinks into single-use cups on site must also offer the same food and drinks in reusable packaging (Section 33 of the Packaging Act, VerpackG). The reusable option must not cost more, although a deposit is permitted. Small businesses with no more than five employees and no more than 80 m² of sales area may instead fill containers brought by customers (Section 34 VerpackG). For events, the easiest answer is usually the traditional one: china, glass and steel cutlery from the caterer or a rental company.

What Section 33 VerpackG requires

The obligation applies to final distributors who hand food or drinks directly to consumers:

1. Offer a reusable alternative: This covers single-use plastic food packaging and single-use drinks cups filled by the business. For cups, the material does not matter, so coated paper cups are included. The reusable option must not be more expensive or come with worse conditions.
2. Display a clear notice: Customers must be informed about the reusable option at the point of sale, and for deliveries in the media used for ordering.
3. Take back own packaging: The take-back duty is limited to reusable packaging the business itself has issued.

Vending machines placed in workplaces solely for staff and not publicly accessible are excluded. Breaches can be fined as administrative offences.

The small business exemption

Under Section 34, businesses with no more than five employees in total and a sales area of no more than 80 m² may comply by filling customers’ own containers on request. Both conditions must be met. Part-time staff count pro rata (0.5 up to 20 hours per week, 0.75 up to 30 hours), freely accessible seating counts as sales area, and for delivery services storage and dispatch areas are added. Chains cannot use the exemption for small branches.

What this means for catering

Situation	Rule	Practical solution
Office lunch delivered in plastic boxes	Reusable option plus notice	Reusable lunch boxes with deposit or collection on the next delivery
Coffee station with paper cups	Single-use cups of any material are covered	Mugs or reusable cups, deposit possible
Food stand at a trade fair	Obligation applies, check the Section 34 exemption	Reusable tableware with deposit and return point
Corporate party with buffet	No single-use packaging needed	Tableware from the caterer or a rental company

According to guidance from Deutsche Umwelthilfe, where the event organiser serves food and drinks directly, the whole event area counts as sales area, while independent stands are assessed individually. When in doubt, ask the local chamber of commerce (IHK). For meeting and conference formats see business lunch catering.

Single-use plastic has been banned since 2021

Separately, the Single-Use Plastics Ban Ordinance (EWKVerbotsV) has prohibited placing certain single-use plastic items on the market since 3 July 2021, including plastic cutlery and plates, straws, stirrers and food and drink containers made of expanded polystyrene. Bio-based plastics are covered too. Paper or palm leaf alternatives are allowed, but they are still single-use waste.

Going reusable at events

Tableware rental: Many caterers bring their own tableware or work with a rental company. As a guide value in our cost model, rental tableware and reusable equipment cost 3 to 7 € per person, depending on washing, transport and breakage. Ask whether tableware is included, whether it can be returned dirty and how breakage is charged.

Mobile dishwashing and deposit systems: For outdoor events without a kitchen, mobile dishwashing trailers are available from many municipalities and rental firms. For takeaway, nationwide reusable pool systems for cups and bowls work with deposits or app-based lending.

Checklist:

• State reusables as a requirement in your enquiry
• Plan clearly signed return points
• Serve tap water in carafes
• Use dispensers instead of single portions for sauces, milk and sugar
• Keep reusable boxes ready for leftovers, see food waste in catering

Reusables pay off environmentally when items are used many times and transport distances stay short, which is why a working return system matters. More ideas for greener events are in sustainable corporate events.

Comparing quotes

A quote often shows how seriously a caterer takes reusables. Good signs are china, glass and steel cutlery named explicitly, carafes or returnable bottles for drinks, mugs or deposit cups for coffee, reusable delivery boxes with collection and boxes for leftovers. Warning signs are vague wording such as „tableware on request“, individual single-use bottles per guest or paper cups as the default. Writing reusables into your enquiry as a firm requirement makes quotes comparable. More questions are in our caterer checklist.

Outlook: the EU Packaging Regulation

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2025/40, PPWR) tightens requirements further. Under Article 33, hospitality businesses packing drinks or food for takeaway must offer a reusable option within a re-use system by 12 February 2028.

Budgeting

Use the catering cost calculator to estimate reusable equipment, staff and drinks together.