What are disposal fees and how are they composed?

Disposal fees are charges levied by manufacturers and distributors of packaging. These financial charges are used to finance the environmentally friendly disposal and recycling of packaging waste. The amount of disposal fees depends on various factors, including the material, type or weight of packaging.

As a restaurateur in the to-go business, the legal regulations surrounding disposal fees affect you directly. Because by offering your customers food and drinks to take away, you are legally a "manufacturer" of packaging. In this short article, we will explain important terms and key principles on the composition of disposal fees as well as on the legally required registration in the Central Packaging Register Lucid.

The Central Packaging Register: What does Lucid Packaging Register mean?

The Lucid packaging register, officially called the "Central Packaging Register", is the platform through which "manufacturers" and "distributors" of packaging must register in accordance with the Packaging Act. The Central Packaging Register (ZSVR) is the responsible institution that operates the Lucid Register and monitors compliance with the legal requirements. The register serves to provide transparency and control to ensure that all those affected comply with their legal obligations.

Who has to register in the Lucid packaging register? Who has to register with the packaging register (ZSVR)?

According to the Packaging Act (VerpackG), all "manufacturers" and "distributors" of packaging that is placed on the market for the first time must register in the Lucid Register. "Manufacturers" are those who commercially place packaging on the market or have it filled with goods for the first time in Germany - for example, by packing a takeaway pizza in a pizza box. "Distributors" of packaging are companies or individuals who import, sell or place already packaged goods on the market, but are not themselves considered to be manufacturers of the packaging.

How much does the Lucid Register cost?

The costs for registration in the Lucid packaging register vary depending on the type and quantity of packaged goods. Registration is associated with a license fee, which must also be paid according to the number and type of packaging used. The exact costs can be requested from the Central Packaging Register Foundation (ZSVR) or viewed on their website.

Who bears the costs for packaging? The packaging license fee

The costs for packaging are usually borne by the companies or individuals who manufacture packaged goods or place goods in packaging on the market. The costs for packaging (regardless of the purchase of the packaging) therefore include the direct disposal fee and the packaging license fee for registration in the Central Packaging Register. The amount of the costs depends on the quantity and type of packaging used. Ultimately, you, as the manager or restaurant operator, bear the costs.

Since environmental protection is the main goal behind disposal fees, in addition to fair competition (everyone has to register!), these are lower the more environmentally friendly the packaging put into circulation is. We cannot relieve you of the costs of packaging, but we can support you with a large selection of environmentally friendly packaging! After all, the packaging license fees are lower with sustainable packaging. In addition, we are always available to advise you on all questions relating to environmentally friendly food packaging.