Since January 1, 2023, retailers of single-use plastic containers with food for immediate consumption or single-use beverage cups with drinks must offer their customers a reusable alternative.

Small providers exempt

Small businesses with a sales area of no more than 80 square meters and up to five employees are exempt; instead, they may fill reusable containers brought in by consumers themselves.

As of October 2022, the DIHK leaflet outlines changes to specific products:

DIHK leaflet on mandatory provision of reusable alternatives (PDF, 149 KB) (only available in German)