Start for reusable cup "Chemnitz Cup"
Standardised system for the city is open to further participants
A standardised system for reusable cups was launched today in Chemnitz city centre with the distribution of an initial batch of around 5,600 cups to interested Chemnitz businesses, caterers and craft businesses. The aim is to reduce the use of disposable cups in Chemnitz and keep the city clean.
The blue reusable cups bear the name Chemnitz Cup and have a capacity of 0.3 litres. One part has been printed with the "Chemnitz City" logo, while another part will probably feature the logo of the Capital of Culture. The cups have therefore also become part of the communication campaign for the European Capital of Culture 2025. The cup, which like the lid is made of recyclable plastic*, costs a 1 euro deposit.
This fulfils a decision made by the city council. The aim was to develop a reusable cup system for Chemnitz that includes a deposit and flexible return system. The Mayor for Law, Safety and Environmental Protection, Miko Runkel, the site coordinators of the ChemnitzCity.de initiative, Sylvia Stölzel and Sven Hertwig, and the representative of the company Relocal, Jens Preißler, were involved in the development. Other partners are the Chemnitz Chamber of Crafts, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Chemnitz University of Technology, the Environmental Centre and the Environmental Agency.
The system is open. Interested retailers can still join. The beverage cups were purchased from the Chemnitz-based supplier Relocal. This company has other reusable products on offer that participating businesses can purchase as required, independently of the City of Chemnitz, and distribute in the deposit system. The aim is to establish a network for reusable products in Chemnitz in the medium term.
The introduction of the Chemnitz reusable cup was subsidised by tax funds as part of the Zero Waste project on the basis of the budget approved by the members of the Saxon state parliament.
Background:
Around 320,000 disposable cups for hot drinks are consumed in Germany every day - 140,000 of which are to-go cups. In addition, there are numerous disposable packages for take-away meals. Reusable packaging saves resources and cleaning costs of around €5.50 per inhabitant per year. From 1 January 2023, Sections 33 and 34 of the Packaging Act will come into force, obliging companies of a certain size to offer packaging that can be used multiple times in addition to disposable plastic packaging.
*amended on 25 August 2022