Refiller – Packaging of the future

Around 5.5 million tons of domestic and commercial waste is generated every year in Switzerland. Littering – leaving and dumping of waste in public spaces – causes annual clean-up costs of approximately CHF 200 million in Switzerland. Packaging and containers are a key factor in the amount of plastic waste produced.
The “Packaging of the Future” project is developing and testing a system of how disposable cups, used in universities, canteens and takeaways, can be replaced by reusable cups. Used cups are collected, washed and returned to the various locations. After initial support from Drosos Foundation the system is becoming self-supporting, funded by revenues from the cup washing service.
The trial phase is taking place in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Over the period of this trial phase approximately 60 tons of waste will be avoided thanks to the recycling of the cups. The aim is to subsequently widen this system to other regions of Switzerland and abroad.