German environmental aid: Improvement necessary for multiple-way offer obligation

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) insists on improvements to the law after further violations of the obligation to offer reusable products in the hospitality industry were detected during test purchases.

German environmental aid: Improvement necessary for multiple-way offer obligation

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) insists on improvements to the law after further violations of the obligation to offer reusable products in the hospitality industry were detected during test purchases. "We insist that this happens in this legislative period," says DUH federal manager Barbara Metz in Berlin.

In addition, the federal states must fulfill their enforcement tasks, sanction violations and ensure that the law is taken seriously.

As early as January, the DUH had carried out random test visits to 35 branches of large chains in Berlin, Munich and Cologne and found violations. More samples and follow-up tests followed in the past week. According to the association, two companies had signed cease-and-desist declarations, and actions for injunctive relief were brought against five before the respective regional courts.

In a representative Forsa survey commissioned by the association, 86 percent of those surveyed said they normally use disposable boxes for takeaway food. When asked why reusable boxes were not used, 72 percent said there was no such offer and 27 percent said they didn't want to carry the boxes around or store them. 55 percent stated that a low price or a low deposit amount was important to them.

The survey shows that consumers want cross-company reusable solutions, as many return points as possible and price advantages for reusables, said Thomas Fischer, DUH Head of Circular Economy.

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