Requirements for a Gastronomic Reusable Glass System in Germany

Abstract

The entry into force of the Single-Use Plastics Act on 07/03/2021 and the future obligation for gastronomic establishments to use reusable packaging from 01/01/2023, will set the course for reducing single-use consumption in Germany. The current research literature primarily highlights reuse systems with plastic, but little is known about a reuse system with glass as a material. The requirements for such a reusable system in Germany have thus hardly been researched up to now. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to work out the requirements for a gastronomic reusable glass system in Germany. A mixed-method approach was used. In a pre-study with 14 experts[i] individual product and services requests for the reusable glass system have been identified. Based on a survey among 502 guests in the gastronomic sector hypothesis generated by the literature and the pre-study have been tested. In a survey among 102 restaurateurs requests for the gastronomic reusable glass system haven been categorised using the Kano model. The research highlights the necessity of a high variety of sizes for food and drinks, the stability, the stackability, the easy cleaning, fracture safety, freedom from microplastic of reusable containers. In addition, great importance is attached to simple handling and the consideration of guests’ needs concerning the reusable glass system. Accessories such as reusable cutlery and reusable straws are to be offered as part of a reusable system. Another requirement was the automated reordering of reusable containers.