According to DUH (Environmental Action Germany), Germany consumed approximately 36 billion single-use packaging items in 2022 (8 billion cups, 28 billion boxes). With over 350,000 tons of takeout waste, Germany leads the EU in this category. These figures make it clear: The pressure to act on reusable solutions remains extremely high in 2026 as well.
Since 2025, manufacturers have been paying a plastic levy of approximately €1.24 per kilogram to the Federal Environment Agency for beverage cups. Firmly factored into the supply chain, these costs now make the premium for single-use solutions clearly visible to end customers.
Who pays for what?
- Manufacturers (Single-Use Plastic Fund): Producers and importers of single-use plastic products must contribute to a state fund. These funds help alleviate the financial burden on municipalities when it comes to cleaning public spaces.
- Restaurateurs & retailers: They bear the costs at the point of purchase, as manufacturers pass on the fund costs to product prices. Additionally, in cities with a municipal packaging tax, they act as tax debtors to the city administration.
- Consumers: In cities with a packaging tax (e.g., Tübingen or Konstanz), customers often pay a direct surcharge of about 50 cents per cup or bowl.
The result:
The end consumer often bears the financial burden twice. First, through a higher base price for the beverage (due to the restaurateur’s increased purchasing costs) and second, through the direct local tax at the counter. This makes reusable systems more economically attractive than ever before.
Reusable as the Standard
While the cost of plastic is rising inexorably due to taxes and fund levies, reusable systems offer the opportunity for stable prices and stronger customer loyalty.
For the food service industry, this means that businesses that consistently adopt reusable pooling systems or innovative deposit solutions now are not only protecting the environment but also safeguarding their own profit margins.
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