German cities pilot reusable systems to reduce single-use waste

German cities are implementing new pilot projects to combat the accumulation of single-use waste through reusable systems.

In Mainz, the Mainzplus Citymarketing agency has introduced a pilot project at the Mainz Wine Market featuring automated deposit machines for tableware. Developed in collaboration with Rent. Group AG, the system aims to prevent tons of waste. A previous test run at the Mainz Wine Bank reportedly saved approximately 10,000 single-use containers and prevented one ton of trash.

Similarly, in Trier, local gastronomy, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), and the Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK) are developing the ‘Trier-Becher’. This reusable cup initiative for takeaway coffee is intended to reduce the volume of disposable packaging and avoid potential taxes on single-use items that had been previously proposed by the city council.