Gemeinsam gegen Verpackungsmüll

Plastikverpackungen sind nach wie vor ein fester Bestandteil im Supermarktregal – besonders bei haltbaren Produkten wie Nüssen, Trockenfrüchten oder Snacks. Doch die Nachfrage nach nachhaltigen Verpackungslösungen wächst stetig. Immer mehr Verbraucher:innen achten beim Einkauf nicht nur auf den Inhalt, sondern auch auf die Verpackung.

Um diesen Wandel aktiv mitzugestalten, startet Seeberger gemeinsam mit dem Start-up CU Mehrweg ein dreimonatiges Pilotprojekt für Mehrwegverpackungen in 18 Märkten von REWE Südwest. Seit dem 24. Februar 2025 werden dort vier Seeberger-Produkte im wiederverwendbaren Mehrwegbecher mit Pfandsystem angeboten.

Lisa Weichhart

22.04.2025

in Environment

Reading time: 4 Minuten

Wiederverwendbare Behälter aus Edelstahl und Kunststoff, ordentlich gestapelt auf einem Tisch, fördern Nachhaltigkeit im Alltag.

Reusable systems in Germany: an overview

Reusable packaging is designed to be used several times. After use, they are professionally cleaned, checked for quality and refilled. The aim: less packaging waste, lower resource consumption and a better carbon footprint.

Depending on the material and design, reusable packaging can achieve between 10 and 200 cycles before it needs to be replaced. This means that they offer clear ecological advantages over single-use packaging - provided they are returned.

In Germany, reusable systems have proven their worth, particularly in the beverage sector. According to the Federal Environment Agency, around 43% of all beverage packaging is sold as reusable packaging - that is around 6.5 billion bottles per year. These are cleaned, checked and reused up to 50 times.

The advantages:

Less waste: reuse reduces packaging waste
Lower emissions: Reusable saves up to 70% CO₂ compared to disposable
Conservation of resources: fewer raw materials required for packaging

The challenges:

Logistics: take-back, cleaning and distribution must be well organized
Acceptance: Consumers must be willing to return packaging
Hygiene: Strict standards, especially in the food sector

Mehrweg-Verpackungslösungen auf einem Tisch, bestehend aus wiederverwendbaren Behältern und Beuteln in verschiedenen Größen und Materialien.

In search of more environmentally friendly packaging solutions

Seeberger sees reusable systems as a useful addition in the area of optimised food packaging - especially for long-life products such as cashews, dried fruit and snack mixes, which are currently sold in disposable packaging.

With the pilot project at REWE, Seeberger wants to gather practical experience and gain realistic assessments of everyday suitability and logistical implementation.

Four popular products - cashews, Genuss-Mix, Nuts'n'Berries and banana chips - are offered in robust reusable cups with a €0.50 deposit. The cups can be easily returned via the deposit machines in participating REWE stores.

After being returned, the cups are collected, cleaned, checked and recirculated by CU Mehrweg. Seeberger takes care of filling them with fresh products - a closed packaging cycle that saves resources and avoids waste.

Farbige Mehrwegbecher stehen in einer modernen Küche auf einer Arbeitsplatte, umgeben von Pflanzen und umweltfreundlichen Utensilien.

The reusable packaging project: a step towards greater environmental awareness in retail

Packaging innovation: Seeberger continuously works on new solutions that are both functional and more environmentally friendly. In addition to the reusable packaging project, current developments also include paper packaging and recyclable plastic packaging.

Cooperation with start-ups: By working with CU Mehrweg, Seeberger relies on a partner that combines an innovative reusable packaging system with expertise and the necessary infrastructure, making it possible to implement more sustainable packaging projects.

Future prospects: Whether the reusable system will be used permanently depends on the results of the test phase. If the concept proves successful, there are plans to expand it to other products and markets. Until then, it is important to gather sound knowledge, optimize processes and further promote the willingness of all those involved

Deine Lieblingssnack jetzt auch in Mehrweg! Der Pfandbecher gefüllt mit Seeberger Produkten steht links neben den Logos von Seeberger und CU-Mehrweg

Conclusion: Reusable as an opportunity for retailers

Reusable packaging offers great potential to reduce packaging waste in the retail sector - also in the area of long-life food. The pilot project by Seeberger and CU Mehrweg is an important step towards testing and further developing sustainable solutions in supermarkets.

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