Reusable Takeaway Pilot Launched During Copenhagen Sprint

On the 21st to the 22nd of June, The City of Copenhagen piloted a return system for reusable takeaway food and drink packaging during the Copenhagen Sprint cycling event, with the goal of making it easy for residents and visitors to return their packaging, and receive a refund directly to their bank account. 

A total of 21 return stations were placed along the route, including at Statens Museum for Kunst, City Hall Square, and Nørrebros Runddel. The initiative was funded by EU grants and led by the City of Copenhagen’s Technical and Environmental Administration. 

A Deposit-refund system with climate impact 
This reusable model stands out by including both food and drink containers in its return system - unlike other models, which currently only collect coffee cups. Some would say that this is the first time in the worlds that both food and bevarage packaging returnsystem has been tested.  Copenhagen’s infrastructure is also open to multiple packaging operators, making the solution both flexible and scalable. 

To return the packaging, users scan the container and place it in a designated return stand. The deposit is automatically refunded to your chosen payment platform - a system developed and operated by the company New Loop. 

At the locations, users could also choose to donate their deposit to the Danish Society for Nature Conservation (Danmarks Naturfredningsforening), a project partner working to reduce single-use waste in nature and urban spaces. 

A growing effort - from local pilot to national impact 
Later this year, 32 more return stations will be installed across the city center. The pilot is part of the broader EU-funded initiative Change (K)now, involving 22 partners across eight countries. As a key test city, Copenhagen will also host the project’s final conference in 2026. 

More upcoming pilots are planned during Copenhagen Street Days and the European Championships in 3x3 Basketball (September 5-7, 2025), and the city’s school lunch programme (EAT) will also be transitioning to reusable, trackable packaging.