Göppingen is planning a round table: Together against garbage and the flood of packaging!

Göppingen is planning a round table: Together against garbage and the flood of packaging!

The city of Göppingen is facing a serious waste problem, which is particularly exacerbated by food and drink packaging. In order to meet this challenge, the city administration is planning a round table on July 7th at which catering establishments and food retailers are invited to work together to develop solutions to reduce single-use packaging and promote reusable concepts. The date for this important meeting is set for 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall. Mayor Alex Maier emphasizes the need to work with local providers to work together to reduce the amount of waste. “The exchange is crucial,” says Maier.

As the Schwäbische Post reports, the city will also examine the introduction of a packaging tax, which will be presented to the local council in the fall. Similar models have already been successfully implemented in cities such as Tübingen and Konstanz, which Göppingen would like to use as a role model.

Funding programs for reusable solutions

In addition to the planned packaging tax, there are extensive funding opportunities for catering businesses. For example, subsidies for the purchase of reusable tableware and cutlery will be offered until March 31, 2026. These measures are part of a larger plan to gradually phase out single-use products. In Konstanz, catering establishments can apply for funding for various areas, including the introduction of reusable pool systems and the necessary equipment for sustainable implementation. The exact funding rates are 80% and the maximum subsidies are up to 1,000 euros gross for companies with several branches, as the City of Konstanz reveals.

In addition to financial support, the funding significantly reduces the operating costs for an environmentally friendly conversion. These diverse incentives are intended to motivate catering establishments to think more intensively about the issue of reusable packaging and to curb the use of disposable packaging.

Successful examples and future developments

The positive effects of such measures are clearly visible in cities like Tübingen. This city was one of the first to introduce a packaging tax and has seen a significant reduction in litter in public spaces. Thanks to this tax, reusable use and corresponding offers could be increased significantly. According to the results from Greenpeace, many catering establishments there have switched to reusable products. There are already a large number of interested parties in Göppingen: ten municipalities, including Cologne and Heidelberg, are also planning to introduce such a packaging tax.

The combination of municipal decisions, incentives and the commitment of the catering industry is crucial to reducing mountains of waste and doing something good for our planet. The challenges ahead offer a valuable opportunity for everyone involved to actively contribute to environmental protection. Anyone who would like to give their opinion and register to take part in the round table by July 2nd can do so online.