Denmark's reusable packaging scheme achieves 85 per cent return rate
ReuSe Vanguard Project expands with Danish NGO Plastic Change, highlighting successful city-level implementation of reusable packaging systems
The ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP), which promotes reuse systems to address Europe’s packaging waste crisis, has announced its latest partnership with Danish NGO Plastic Change.
Based in Aarhus, Plastic Change joins a number of other partners including Rezero (Barcelona), Deutsche Umwelthilfe (Berlin), Fair Resource Foundation (Ghent), Enviu (Rotterdam), and Réseau Vrac et Réemploi (Paris) to co-create a shared model of reusable takeaway packaging.
Discussing the collaboration, Nathan Dufour, Reuse Systems Manager and Leader of the RSVP at Zero Waste Europe, said: “With Plastic Change joining RSVP, we have a great add-on to prove that cities across Europe, also in Denmark, can lead the way in replacing single-use waste with sustainable, reusable systems—making real change happen where it matters most.
“Our research shows that switching to these systems may reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 54% in Aarhus, and reduce our material consumption overall. By showcasing this success, we aim to inspire other cities across Europe to adopt similar initiatives, driving a collective movement towards a zero-waste future.”
Since its inception in January 2024, Plastic Change has been monitoring the environmental and economic benefits of the Rotake Reusable Project in Aarhus.
The reusable takeaway system offers customers reusable cups for a five-doner deposit (), which is refundable when the cup is returned to one of 30 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) situated in the city. The project involved 57 partner establishments, including cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants, and street food markets.
In less than eight months, Plastic Change found that the RVMs reached over 500,000 cups’ returns, for an 85 per cent overall return rate. Further municipal waste sampling of 2,000 kg found fewer than 10 reusable cups.
A survey conducted by Plastic Change found that 92 per cent of Danish people would be willing to return packaging in a reuse system.
Louise Lerche-Gredal, Managing Director of Plastic Change, commented: “Scalable reuse systems are crucial for a green transition away from our single-use and takeaway culture, but many cities are hesitant to challenge the status quo.
“With Plastic Change as a partner in the ReuSe Vanguard Project, city authorities gain valuable insights from Denmark into how to build an effective reuse system at the city level, from consumer behaviour and pricing to the undeniable environmental benefits. Our hope is to push the agenda forward across Europe.”
Each European generates an average of 190 kg of packaging waste annually, and in light of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) which mandate a 15 per cent reduction in packaging waste by 2040, Aarhus’ reuse system demonstrates potential solutions to waste reduction.