RECUP/REBOWL has received €12 million for the development of its reusable packaging system. Appropriately, the leading reusable packaging provider will soon celebrate the system’s 12,000th distribution point, further expanding its market dominance. This marks an important milestone of greater support to the gastronomy industry in the implementation of the Reusable Packaging Act, beginning on 1/1/2023.
In its current financing round, the reusable packaging provider RECUP/REBOWL raised €12 million for the further expansion of its reusable takeaway packaging system, which is already in place across all of Germany. Joining the current shareholder, Müller Medien, are the blueworld.group, a leading investor and innovator for sustainable development, Summiteer, the private equity firm of the entrepreneur and e-mobility pioneer Sven Schulz, and GLS Bank. When it comes to financing for the reusable packaging system, RECUP has consciously focused on long-term and sustainably oriented investors, whose focus lies in equal parts on ecological, social and economic issues.
Accessible and uncomplicated is a must
RECUP/REBOWL is deliberately built upon a simple and reliable returnable deposit system. ‘The enormous environmental problem of disposables requires a long-term, sustainable solution that is uncomplicated and obtainable. RECUP/REBOWL has made this exact approach their mission, and is already making major contributions to prevention of packaging waste in Germany’s food takeaway and delivery industries. We’re pleased to join in RECUP/REBOWL’s mission over the long-term, and to sustainably support their journey,’ says Dr Rigbert Fischer, founder of blueworld.group.
Preparing Germany for the Reusable Packaging Act is key
The First Mover’s reusable system demonstrates – along with nearly 12,000 affiliated partners (cafés, restaurants, corporate caterers, petrol stations, kiosks and food stalls) – that a user-friendly and accessible reusable alternative works across the board within the takeaway sector. The company therefore offers a direct solution to the Reusable Packaging Act, which comes into effect on 1/1/2023. By no later than this date, cafés, restaurants and other food establishments which have a shop area greater than 80 m² and/or more than five employees, along with branches of chains, are required to offer their customers a reusable alternative to single-use packaging for to-go drinks and takeaway.
The RECUP/REBOWL system is already in use by numerous large partners, such as Shell, Alnatura, Aral, Sodexo, Aramark, Denn’s, the Hofpfisterei, Müller/Höfliger and the Bio Company. Together with these companies and thousands of independent eateries, the system reduces the use of disposable packaging and is the market leader in the reusable solutions sector in Germany for both to-go drinks and takeaway meals. In the previous fiscal year of 2021, RECUP/REBOWL experienced more than 100% growth, allowing it to significantly expand its broad market presence, particularly in the areas of restaurants and corporate catering.
About RECUP
Founded in 2016 by Fabian Eckert and Florian Pachaly, reCup GmbH offers a simple, attractive and sustainable alternative to single-use packaging with its nationwide reusable deposit system RECUP/REBOWL.
The RECUP to-go cups and the REBOWL takeaway bowls are available in many different sizes and are 100% recyclable. The product range was awarded the “Blue Angel” ecolabel by the German federal government. Across Germany, at around 12,000 distribution and return points (cafés, restaurants, bakeries, kiosks, corporate caterers and petrol stations), the reusable cups and bowls can be borrowed and returned with a refundable deposit. Additionally, test phases with various providers in the food delivery sector are already underway. The company’s goal is to make single-use packaging unnecessary and to raise further awareness on the issue of packaging waste in society.
Source: RECUP