Munich launches pilot scheme for reusable food containers

The City of Munich has introduced a new reusable food packaging initiative, ReMuc – “Ois im Kreis”, aimed at encouraging circular consumption and reducing waste in one of its busiest public spaces. The system is powered by Relevo by Duni, a digital platform majority-owned by the Duni Group, and is positioned as a practical demonstration of how reuse models can function at scale. The rollout comes as European businesses prepare for the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will take effect in August 2026.

Growing regulatory pressures and strengthened sustainability expectations are prompting the foodservice sector to explore packaging formats that support waste reduction. While reusable systems are gaining attention, industry stakeholders continue to highlight the importance of single-use solutions, particularly where hygiene, cost, or operational efficiency is a priority. Duni Group notes that its long-term vision is not to replace disposable items entirely, but to ensure that single-use and reusable formats coexist, with each applied where most appropriate. The company sees digital tools and system innovation as key to enabling this flexibility.

ReMuc has been established as a five-year pilot intended to make reuse straightforward for both consumers and vendors. Five automated return points will be installed at Viktualienmarkt, one of Munich’s most frequented food markets. Visitors will be able to purchase food and beverages in reusable containers, return them to any of the machines, and receive their deposit automatically. The project brings together several partners: Recup provides the containers, Circle Cube supplies the return technology, and Cup Company manages logistics and washing. Relevo by Duni oversees the digital infrastructure, handling deposits, returns, and traceability within a single platform. The scheme aims to reduce waste volumes, simplify operations for market vendors, and act as a template for wider urban reuse systems.

Single-use solutions have been the default for good reasons: flexibility, convenience, and hygiene. They will continue to matter. What ReMuc demonstrates is equally important: reuse can work at scale, in real life. Our hope is that this encourages more cities to pilot and adopt similar systems.

Nicklas Lauwell, Chief Officer, Food Packaging Solutions, Duni Group.

As PPWR implementation approaches, solutions that integrate usability, logistics and digital tracking are expected to become increasingly important. The Duni Group states that it will continue to invest in innovations that help foodservice operators adapt to regulatory changes while maintaining competitiveness.