Potsdam is the first city in Brandenburg to levy a packaging tax on disposable containers

As of today, Potsdam is the only city in Brandenburg to levy an extra tax on disposable cups etc. The municipal packaging tax comes into force despite much criticism from business. Take-away coffee and hand-held fries are likely to become more expensive for customers.

The packaging tax is 50 cents for disposable cups, plates or bowls and 20 cents for cutlery.

Business associations see competitive disadvantages, criticized the high effort and doubt whether reusable tableware will become established. The city wants to use the packaging tax to reduce single-use waste and promote reusable packaging.

There are no on-site checks to see how the start of the packaging tax is being implemented. “No one will go through the shops and check,” said a spokeswoman for the city of Potsdam. The introduction was postponed by three months, also so that companies could prepare for the change, according to the city administration.