Lisbon Rolls Out Citywide Reusable Cup Return Initiative

Lisbon has launched the first citywide reusable cup scheme among European capitals, aiming to drastically reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions in its vibrant hospitality and nightlife sectors. The initiative, a collaboration between Lisbon City Council, TOMRA, a recycling technology company, and AHRESP, Portugal’s largest hospitality association, introduces a deposit-return system where consumers pay a €0.60 refundable deposit for drinks served in reusable cups. These cups can be returned at TOMRA-operated smart kiosks by simply tapping a contactless card or mobile phone, with no registration required. The system officially began on June 27, 2025, with two return points in historic kiosks at Praça de São Paulo and Praça do Príncipe Real, and full implementation is planned for October 2025, including a standardized "Lisbon cup" and 17 return points in central neighborhoods. This initiative follows Lisbon’s 2024 regulation banning single-use plastic cups, providing the necessary policy framework to support a robust reuse infrastructure. TOMRA’s “Rotake” platform manages the entire lifecycle of the cups, including digital tracking, collection, sanitization, and redistribution, ensuring the system is efficient, hygienic, and environmentally optimized. The scheme is designed specifically for urban areas to make reuse easy and rewarding for consumers and businesses alike. AHRESP plays a crucial role in integrating cafés, bars, and nightclubs into the reuse model, positioning the hospitality sector as a leader in the transition toward a circular economy. The city hopes to surpass the success of similar systems like Aarhus, Denmark, where over a million cups have been returned with an 85% success rate. The launch was showcased at the "Lisbon to Reuse" summit held at the Museum of Design and Fashion (MUDE), where policymakers, urban planners, and environmental leaders experienced the system firsthand. With around 25,000 cups used nightly in Lisbon’s entertainment areas, the new scheme addresses the previous lack of infrastructure for effective collection and recirculation of reusable cups. Lisbon’s commitment to sustainable alternatives and conscious consumption habits aims to inspire other municipalities and set a benchmark for urban reuse solutions across Europe. The city’s leadership emphasizes that this project is not only about reducing waste but also about fundamentally changing how cities manage resources and promote sustainability.