Potsdam introduces single-use packaging tax

Starting October 1, 2026, the city of Potsdam will implement a municipal packaging tax on single-use takeaway containers, making it the first municipality in the state of Brandenburg to do so.

Under the new regulations, single-use cups and containers will incur a 50-cent tax, while single-use cutlery will be taxed at 20 cents. Businesses including restaurants, bakeries, and fast-food chains are responsible for collecting the tax and passing the costs to consumers. Reusable alternatives remain exempt from the tax.

The city aims to reduce public waste and generate approximately one million euros in annual revenue by 2027 to offset the 950,000 euros spent yearly on waste collection. While the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has welcomed the move as a step toward waste reduction, local business associations, including the IHK Potsdam, have criticized the measure for increasing bureaucracy and costs during a challenging economic period.