Information event on reusable containers RL26 at Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg

The participants at the event were employees of regional breweries who are committed to implementing a modern circular economy.

Reusable containers for a sustainable circular economy

The European Green Deal places waste avoidance, re-use and changes in consumer behaviour at the centre of a future-oriented circular economy. Regional reusable packaging and reusable systems are the best solutions. The demand for and interest in reusable packaging is increasing, which is why manufacturers are called upon to rethink their packaging concepts and invest in a resource-saving circular economy, emphasises Josef Raneburger of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection.

The new Federal Waste Management Act is pushing reusable innovations: From 2025, a deposit will be introduced for disposable beverage bottles and cans. In 2024 there will be a mandatory reusable offer in food retailing. Measures for environmental protection that speak for themselves.

Strong signal for reusable packaging with the Austrian Ecolabel

The economic and legal framework conditions as well as the urgent need to take climate protection measures are leading more and more producers in Austria to opt for reusable packaging. The beverage industry in particular is sending a strong signal in the direction of circular economy, re-use and reusable packaging. Reusable containers that meet the ecological requirements for reusable packaging can be awarded the Austrian Ecolabel. In his presentation, DI Christian Pladerer from Pulswerk pointed out the existing criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel UZ26 for reusable containers: Reusable packaging must guarantee a minimum circulation rate of 12, in the filling and cleaning process it is a question of waste, water and cleaning agents as well as measures in the area of transport and logistics. Contact: pladerer@pulswerk.at

Why reusable packaging makes sense in the brewing industry

In his presentation, Florian Berger, Managing Director of the Austrian Brewery Association of the WKO, confirmed the increased importance of reusable containers for the domestic beer market and called for reusable containers to be quickly returned to the cycle, but also for reusable capacities to be promoted. Surveys showed that two thirds of consumers are increasingly buying beer in reusable containers. For the brewing industry, he sees the challenge in launching additional funds to promote the use of reusable containers, because the existing subsidies can be exhausted in a short time.
Contact: f.berger@dielebensmittel.at

Innovative reusable solutions for beverages and reusable logistics

In addition to the criteria for obtaining the Ecolabel for reusable containers, the event was also devoted to current topics of the day concerning reusable containers: the reusability ban and the expansion of reusable systems, reusable logistics and the new standardised standard crate, as well as subsidies and innovations in the field of 0.33-litre MW light-weight bottles for restaurants and the retail trade. Erich Jaquemar, Group Key Account Manager at Vetropack, presented a new thermally tempered lightweight glass bottle as a contribution to sustainability. After 25 cycles, this bottle has a higher strength than the conventional 300 g glass bottles and also has a lower breakage rate. This results in numerous advantages for bottlers, such as lower energy requirements, a higher number of fillings and thus also reduced costs. DI Jaquemar also discussed the new returnable 0.33 l glass bottle and explained the improved returnable logistics concept. With the new thermally tempered glass bottle, up to six crates can be stacked high, which means a saving of 20 %.
Contact: erich.jaquemar@vetropack.com

Subsidised advice in Upper Austria

For Ronald Wipplinger of the Climate Alliance of Upper Austria, the reusable bottle is something like the regional organic apple among packaging. It combines ecological, economic and also social aspects of sustainability and as a special, sustainable product should once again become the focus of the regional beverage industry. Klimabündnis Oberösterreich is responsible for handling subsidised advisory services in Upper Austria. Funding is provided for advisory services on improving energy and resource efficiency, on the use of renewable energy sources as well as on climate protection and the avoidance of waste. Contact: ronald.wipplinger@klimabuendnis.at

Further information:

Weitere Infos:
Austrian Ecolabel guidline for reusable containers and reusable cup systems

Consultancy support for the Austrian Ecolabel in the federal provinces