The AHRESP – Portuguese Association of Hospitality, Restaurants, and Similar Establishments – and TOMRA, a company specializing in circular economy solutions, have announced that following successful tests conducted during the summer at kiosks in Príncipe Real and Praça de São Paulo, several bars in Bairro Alto will now implement a deposit and return model for reusable cups.
According to TOMRA, consumers receive their beverages in reusable cups by paying a deposit of [€0.60], which is fully refunded upon return by simply tapping a card or phone at the collection point.
This initiative, a collaboration between the Lisbon City Council, TOMRA Reuse, and AHRESP, aims to combat plastic waste.
It also seeks to reduce emissions and introduce an intelligent reuse model within the city’s dining and nightlife sectors.
The “system is powered by TOMRA’s ‘Rotake’ technology, a comprehensive reuse model that includes digital tracking, cup collection, sanitization, and redistribution.”
The company manages the full lifecycle of the cups to ensure efficiency, hygiene, and environmental performance, noting that about 25,000 cups are used nightly in Lisbon’s entertainment areas.
“Although many cups are sold as ‘reusable,’ until now there was no system ensuring effective collection, cleaning, and recirculation of these containers,” it adds.
The system’s implementation follows the 2024 regulation by the Lisbon City Council which bans the use of disposable plastic cups.
The system was presented at the “Lisbon Reuse Summit” held at the Design and Fashion Museum (MUDE).
