Copenhagen Launches City-Wide Reusable Takeaway Packaging Trial to Combat Waste

Copenhagen Tackles Takeaway Waste with Innovative Reusable Packaging System

Copenhagen, Denmark, has officially launched a comprehensive trial program for reusable takeaway packaging in its city center, marking a significant step in the municipality's efforts to enhance sustainability and reduce waste. The pilot project, which commenced on October 10, 2025, is designed to run until at least the end of 2026, introducing a deposit-refund system for both food and drink containers.

The initiative follows an earlier pilot conducted on June 21-22, 2025, during the Copenhagen Sprint cycling event, which utilized 21 drop-off stations. The expanded system now includes 32 return stations strategically placed across the city center, allowing customers to easily return used packaging and receive their deposit back. This model stands out by encompassing both food and beverage containers, a broader approach compared to many existing systems that primarily focus on coffee cups.

Mechanics of the Deposit-Refund System

The operational backbone of this trial is a user-friendly deposit-refund system. Customers scan their reusable container upon return and place it in a designated stand, with the deposit automatically refunded to their chosen payment platform. This system is developed and managed by the company New Loop, whose CEO, Anders Barsøe, expressed hope that 'businesses in inner Copenhagen will support the new system by switching to reusable packaging instead of single-use items'.

Several establishments in TorvehallerneKBH, including Coffee Collective, Grød, Rørt, and Hallernes Smørrebrød, are already participating by offering reusable cups. The project also provides an option for users to donate their deposit to the Danish Society for Nature Conservation (Danmarks Naturfredningsforening), a partner organization dedicated to reducing single-use waste. Maria Reumert Gjerding, President of the Danish Society for Nature Conservation, highlighted the urgency, stating that 'half of all human-made waste in the oceans is single-use takeaway packaging' and calling the Copenhagen initiative 'a step toward solving the problem'.

Addressing Copenhagen's Waste Challenge

The primary objective of the trial is to significantly reduce the volume of single-use packaging waste. The City of Copenhagen estimates that at least 200 tonnes of takeaway plastic packaging end up in public waste bins annually, often contributing to litter in streets and waterways. Line Barfod, Copenhagen's mayor for technical and environmental affairs, underscored the importance of the initiative, remarking, 'The climate is not waiting for us. That's why it's very good news that we're now making it possible for Copenhageners to reuse their packaging instead of sending it for incineration'.

This pilot is part of a broader, EU-funded initiative called Change (K)now, which involves 22 partners across eight countries, positioning Copenhagen as a key test city. The city's commitment to promoting reusable solutions has been ongoing since at least 2021, with previous efforts including demanding washable solutions for events and exploring test zones for reusable packaging.

Future Outlook and Broader Impact

The success of this trial could pave the way for wider adoption of reusable packaging solutions across Denmark and beyond. The city of Aarhus, for instance, launched a similar three-year pilot in January 2024, focusing initially on reusable cups, which has shown promising results in reducing waste. Copenhagen plans further pilots during upcoming events like Copenhagen Street Days and the European Championships in 3x3 Basketball in September 2025, and will also transition its school lunch program to reusable packaging.

The City of Copenhagen is actively working to establish a system where reuse becomes the norm, investing in data-driven insights and pilot projects to guide this transition towards a greener future. This trial represents a concrete step towards achieving the city's broader climate and sustainability goals, aiming to create scalable, user-friendly, and environmentally sound solutions for reducing packaging waste in everyday life.