Precise timing is the be-all and end-all in business life. In this respect, Matthias Potthast, 32, was quite unlucky two years ago. On the weekend of March 21st and 22nd, 2020, he and his colleagues wanted to launch their new reusable system for the catering trade with their startup Relevo: cups and bowls that can be used again and again, that only cost the innkeeper cents and that on a deposit system based. Unfortunately, the first corona lockdown came on March 22nd, and all bars and restaurants had to close. The launch of Relevo has been postponed.
It later turned out that the pandemic also had its advantages, at least for reusable packaging, which Relevo wanted to establish on the market. Because “to go” became an important mainstay of gastronomy during the crisis. And the obligation to offer reusable packaging in the EU, which will come into force on January 1, 2023, will now bring a further boost.
The latter date is also a good reason for the start-up Relevo and its big brother Recup to present their two systems on Wednesday evening in the Minna Thiel at the film school. “We’re actually competitors,” says Fabian Eckert, 32, from Recup, “but we get along well and have the avoidance of disposable waste as a common goal.”
Recup works with a deposit, Relevo with a “climate fee”
Recup was on the market a bit earlier: in 2016 Eckert and his colleague Florian Pachaly in Munich started offering reusable deposit cups in three sizes for the catering trade, and in 2020 deposit bowls under the Rebowl brand were added. With Recup, the customer pays the deposit, which is one euro for the cup and five euros for the bowl. If he returns the cup and bowl to any dispensing point, he gets the deposit back.
Recup is now the market leader in Germany and has 12,500 contractual partners, although there is still great potential for growth. “In Germany there are between 120,000 and 150,000 potential providers,” says Fabian Eckert. However, part of it is already tied to other systems. For example at Relevo. “We are already represented in around 100 cities,” says Matthias Potthast, “and we currently have around 1,300 contractual partners, around 270 of them in Munich.”
Relevo works a little differently than Recup, with cups and bowls made of plastic or microwaveable glass. Customers who order from a restaurant or a delivery service can have their items delivered in reusable crockery on request. However, you have to register yourself (and the dishes) via the app and you will receive a reminder email. Because if you don’t return the cup or bowl within 14 days, you’ll have to pay a “climate fee” of five euros per cup and ten euros per bowl.
Restaurateurs who want to switch to reusable packaging or who have to by January 1st next year can get up to 500 euros in funding from the city. More details are on the website www.mehrwegmuenchen.de to experience; there are also various information events.