German Environmental Group Takes Legal Action Over Violations of Reusable Packaging Rules

The Deutsche Umwelthilfe accuses major fast-food chains of ignoring a 2023 law requiring reusable packaging options for takeout orders.

The Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has initiated legal proceedings against KFC, Burger King, and Nordsee for failing to comply with Germany's Mehrwegangebotspflicht, in effect since January 2023.
Test visits revealed that many locations either did not provide reusable packaging or made it difficult for customers to access, despite advertising such options.
KFC was singled out as the worst offender, with no tested locations offering a complete reusable packaging option for all products.
Vapiano avoided legal action but was criticized for making its reusable system unattractive, with high deposit fees for cups and insufficient incentives for box returns.
The DUH also highlighted a lack of proactive customer communication, noting that staff in 180 test visits over two years never informed customers about reusable options.