Courts back environmental group on reusable packaging mandates for major fast-food chains.
Fast-food giants face legal pressure to offer reusable options, prompting calls for national disposable taxes.
- Regional courts in Berlin and Frankfurt am Main have ruled in favor of the German Environmental Aid (DUH) regarding reusable packaging requirements.
- Franchisees of North Sea, Burgermeister, Subway, and Burger King were ordered to improve or introduce multi-way offers for drinks and dishes.
- DUH test visits revealed inadequate enforcement of existing reusable obligations by authorities.
- The DUH is urging the Environment Minister to implement a national disposable tax on takeaway packaging.
BERLIN/FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Aug. 11, 2025 – Major fast-food chains are being legally compelled to improve their reusable packaging options following successful complaints by the German Environmental Aid (DUH). Regional courts in Berlin and Frankfurt am Main have ordered franchisees of North Sea, Burgermeister, Subway, and Burger King to introduce or enhance their multi-way offers for drinks and dishes, ensuring reusable packaging is readily available.
These court decisions stem from DUH test visits that uncovered widespread violations of existing reusable obligations, with authorities failing to adequately control compliance. The environmental group is now advocating for a national disposable tax on takeaway packaging of at least 50 cents to encourage broader adoption of reusable alternatives.
Barbara Metz, DUH Federal Managing Director, stated that many franchise branches still lacked or had insufficient reusable options. “Especially for the largest corporations in the catering industry, it should be a matter of course that customers are reliable everywhere,” Metz said. She criticized the lack of checks by state authorities, noting that Bavaria’s Interior Minister is reportedly trying to prevent municipalities from imposing their own packaging taxes.
“Tübingen and consistency show that this is the right way to less disposable waste,” Metz added. “Federal Environment Minister Schneider should take the violations of the reusable obligation to make a national disposal package to make clear incentives to use it with a national disposable tax on Takaway packaging.”
DUH testers previously found no reusable offerings at branches of North Sea, Burgermeister, and Subway. In one North Sea and one Burger King location, a company-wide reusable system was advertised, but test subjects in November 2024 were only offered a reusable cup for all ordered products.
Elena Schägg, Deputy DUH Manager for the Circular Economy, highlighted the legal issue when businesses offer various disposable cup sizes for soft drinks but have limited reusable options. “Our impression has hardened that many large restaurants obviously do not want to use customers to use reusable,” Schägg commented. She emphasized the need for responsible state authorities to increase checks and impose penalties to ensure compliance with reusable mandates.
