Reusable packaging – how good is it really?

Sustainable packaging solutions are playing an increasingly important role in all areas of the catering industry. Fortunately! Because disposable packaging made from environmentally harmful materials is an enormous burden on our planet. Reusable packaging is considered one of the best solutions for reducing the ecological footprint in the catering industry, even ahead of sustainable disposable packaging. But how good is reusable packaging really? In this article, we take a look at what exactly reusable packaging actually is, how it relates to disposable packaging and why it is also worthwhile for your catering business .

What is reusable packaging? (Reusable packaging definition)

Reusable packaging is a container that is designed for multiple use. Unlike disposable packaging, which must be disposed of after a single use, reusable packaging can be used again and again after appropriate cleaning and processing. Reusable products are made of robust materials such as glass, stainless steel, plastic or even bamboo, which ensure a long service life. It is important to note that, from a legal point of view, catering packaging is only reusable packaging if a catering establishment has the appropriate logistics to ensure return and reuse and actually practices this.

What does reusable instead of disposable mean?

Disposable packaging is disposed of after one-time use, while reusable packaging can be used again and again. But how do reusable and disposable packaging differ in terms of their environmental impact?

Disposable packaging is often made of plastic, coated paper or aluminum. These materials are cheap to produce, but cause significant environmental problems. They often end up in nature or the oceans after use and are difficult to degrade. But even when disposed of properly, packaging waste is still produced; the only exception to this is biodegradable disposable packaging .

Reusable packaging is made of more stable materials such as stainless steel, glass or high-quality plastic. Reusable products can be used many times, which means significantly less waste is generated and resources are conserved. Depending on the reusable product, a few to several dozen uses are enough to overtake conventional disposable packaging in its ecological balance (see our article CO2 balance: disposable and reusable in comparison ). Various studies prove the superiority of reusable over disposable. But is reusable worthwhile for you too?

What is the reusable requirement?

What is the reusable packaging requirement? Since 2023, there has been a reusable packaging requirement in Germany for all catering establishments that offer food and drinks to take away. Restaurant operators are obliged to offer their customers reusable packaging as an alternative to disposable packaging. Only smaller businesses are exempt from the reusable packaging requirement. You can find further information about the reusable packaging requirement in our reusable packaging FAQ and in this article about packaging affected by the reusable packaging law.

Reuse is worth it!

Even if the reusable law poses challenges for some catering establishments, the introduction of the reusable requirement definitely makes sense. Reusable packaging is also worthwhile for you! Because reusable products not only contribute to climate protection, they also lead to long-term cost savings and a better image.

• Cost savings : While disposable packaging has to be constantly repurchased, reusable packaging is reordered much less frequently. Although reusable packaging is more expensive to purchase initially, cleaning the reusable packaging is noticeably cheaper in the long term.
• Better image : Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for customers. Restaurants that offer environmentally friendly solutions are increasingly preferred. How about giving your guests the choice between sustainable single-use packaging and reusable packaging? This way you can capture all preferences.
• Future laws : The legal regulations surrounding disposable packaging have been tightened for years. Reusable packaging will probably be promoted even more in the future and disposal fees for disposable packaging will be set even higher. Be one step ahead of the law and switch to reusable packaging early and conveniently!

So you see – even if the introduction of reusable packaging is initially associated with uncertainty and a certain amount of effort, the advantages outweigh this not only for the environment but also for you.

By using reusable packaging early on, you save yourself stress in the future, you save money in advance and you strengthen your image before the competition!