Reusable bottles: The environmentally friendly way to drink in Rosenheim!

Reusable bottles: The environmentally friendly way to drink in Rosenheim!

In recent years, the debate surrounding the use of reusable and disposable bottles has increasingly come into focus. The issue is becoming important not only from an ecological perspective, but also for consumers who pay attention to both sustainability and cost efficiency. Switching to reusable bottles shows many people the opportunity to actively contribute to protecting the environment.

Reusable bottles score points in several aspects: Not only are they more environmentally friendly than their disposable counterparts, energy and resource consumption is also significantly lower when used more frequently. The German Nature Conservation Association (Nabu) highlights that only around 33% of drinks in Germany are offered in reusable packaging, which still shows potential for improvement. While reusable bottles can be cleaned and refilled up to 25 times, single-use plastic bottles often disappear into the trash or are melted down after they are returned. Unfortunately, even deposit amounts of 8 or 15 cents are not always sufficient as a clear indication of reusable goods; A mandatory deposit of 25 cents usually indicates disposable packaging, but there are exceptions.

The environmental friendliness of reusables

The positive impact of reusable bottles on the environment is supported by numerous studies. According to surveys by the Umweltbundesamt, the number of refills leads to a significantly reduced consumption of resources. Regionally filled reusable bottles, be they made of glass or PET, have the best ecological footprint. Labeling with the “Reusable – For the Environment” logo makes it easier for consumers to recognize the more environmentally friendly options on the shelf. The fact that containers can be refilled up to 50 times also shows how ecologically beneficial reusable products are.

Disposable bottles, on the other hand, are made from virgin material, often based on crude oil. Around 52 percent of these bottles in Germany come from new plastic, which not only pollutes the climate, but also uses up valuable resources, as a report by Deutsche Umwelthilfe shows. Around 340,000 tonnes of crude oil are required every year, which continues to pollute the environment.

Recycling and other challenges

Although recycling is seen as a way to reduce environmental impact, the effect remains limited. In the case of disposable bottles that are not part of a closed material cycle, some of the material is lost during each recycling process. The average recycled content is only 48 percent, while reusable bottles can achieve a recycled content of 60 to 83 percent, depending on the color of the glass.

In summary, the decision to use reusable bottles is a clear step towards environmental protection. Regionally produced drinks in reusable bottles are not only a sign of environmental awareness, but also a clever way to conserve resources and improve your own environmental balance. It’s up to us as consumers to make the right decisions—every time we make a purchase. And as an old saying goes: “Every little step counts on the way to recovery!”