Munich's ReMuc Project: A Blueprint for Europe's Circular Future

MUNICH, Germany – January 15, 2026 – At Munich's bustling Viktualienmarkt, a historic food market and cultural hub, a quiet revolution in takeaway dining has begun. The launch of the ReMuc – "Ois im Kreis" project introduces a sophisticated, digitally-managed system for reusable food containers, marking a significant step in the city's journey towards a circular economy. Backed by foodservice packaging giant Duni Group and its digital subsidiary Relevo, the five-year initiative aims to prove that convenience and sustainability can go hand-in-hand, offering a potential blueprint for cities across Europe grappling with new environmental mandates.

This initiative arrives at a critical moment. With the European Union's stringent Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) set to take effect in August 2026, the pressure on the foodservice industry to curb single-use waste has never been greater. ReMuc is not just a local pilot; it's a real-world stress test of the systems and partnerships needed to comply with a new era of environmental accountability.

The Regulatory Clock is Ticking: PPWR and the Push for Reuse

The ReMuc project is a direct response to the sweeping changes introduced by the EU's PPWR. Formally entering into force in February 2025, the regulation will become fully applicable on August 12, 2026, replacing a previous directive with a uniform law that leaves little room for national interpretation. Its goals are ambitious: a 5% reduction in packaging waste by 2030, rising to 15% by 2040, compared to 2018 levels.

To achieve this, the PPWR introduces a raft of measures that will fundamentally reshape the packaging landscape. It mandates that all packaging be designed for recycling by 2030 and effectively recycled at scale by 2035. Crucially, it puts a heavy emphasis on reuse. The regulation requires the establishment of reuse and refill systems and forces take-away businesses to allow customers to use their own containers without penalty. Furthermore, it will ban certain single-use plastics outright from 2030, including packaging for food and beverages consumed on-site in restaurants and cafes.

For businesses, the regulation strengthens Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), making producers financially responsible for the entire lifecycle of their packaging. This includes eco-modulated fees, where less sustainable packaging choices will incur higher costs. With harmonized labeling and strict rules on recycled content also on the horizon, the PPWR creates a powerful financial and legal incentive for companies and cities to innovate—and to do so quickly.

Munich's Zero-Waste Ambition

While the EU provides the regulatory push, the ReMuc project lands on fertile ground in Munich. The city is already a committed member of the Zero Waste Cities network, having embarked on a comprehensive strategy in 2019 to drastically reduce waste and conserve resources. This local ambition provides the project with a supportive policy framework and an engaged community.

Munich's goals are specific and measurable. The city aims to slash household waste per capita by 15% by 2035 and is actively exploring ways to shift from a recycling-focused model to one that prioritizes reuse and repair. This is embodied by flagship projects like "Halle 2," a municipal reuse hub that repairs and resells second-hand goods, preventing an estimated 1,000 tonnes of waste annually. By launching trials for new waste collection systems and engaging businesses through initiatives like the "Müllfrei-Meile" (waste-free mile), Munich has demonstrated a deep-seated commitment to circular principles. ReMuc, therefore, isn't an isolated experiment but a strategic component of a much larger, city-wide vision.

A Partnership for Practicality: How ReMuc Works

The success of any reusable system hinges on its convenience. At Viktualienmarkt, the ReMuc project is designed to be as seamless as possible for both consumers and vendors. Customers purchasing food or drinks simply receive their order in a reusable container. After their meal, they can return the container to one of five automated return stations strategically placed around the market and instantly receive their deposit back.

This frictionless experience is powered by a coalition of specialized partners. Relevo by Duni provides the critical digital backbone, managing the entire deposit, return, and traceability process through a single interface. The containers themselves are supplied by Recup, a company that already operates Germany's largest deposit-based network for reusable cups and bowls, with over 20,000 participating locations. The sleek, automated return machines are built by Circle Cube, a specialist in smart hardware for reuse systems, while Cup Company handles the essential backend logistics of collection and washing.

This collaborative approach aims to solve the key pain points of reuse: easing the burden on individual vendors, ensuring hygienic standards, and providing a user experience that rivals the convenience of single-use packaging. As Nicklas Lauwell, Chief Officer for Food Packaging Solutions at Duni Group, stated in the announcement, "Single-use solutions have been the default for good reasons: flexibility, convenience, and hygiene. They will continue to matter. What ReMuc demonstrates is equally important: reuse can work at scale, in real life. Our hope is that this encourages more cities to pilot and adopt similar systems."

Duni's Dual-Pronged Strategy for a Hybrid Future

For Duni Group, the ReMuc project is more than just a technological showcase; it's the physical manifestation of a carefully considered business strategy. Rather than declaring an all-out war on single-use products, the company is championing a balanced, hybrid future where both single-use and reusable solutions have a role. This philosophy is central to its "Our Decade of Action" 2030 strategy, which aims to establish the company as a leader in sustainable foodservice solutions.

This vision recognizes that the best solution is context-dependent. While a bustling city market like Viktualienmarkt is ideal for a robust reusable system, other situations may still call for single-use products, which Duni aims to make from renewable, recyclable, or compostable materials. The company's strategic investment in Relevo, which grew from a minority stake in 2021 to a majority ownership in 2024, underscores its commitment to developing the digital tools necessary to make circularity scalable and profitable.

By investing in innovations that support the transition demanded by regulations like the PPWR, Duni Group is positioning itself not just to survive the shift, but to lead it. The ReMuc project serves as a powerful proof point, demonstrating that with the right technology and collaborative partnerships, reuse can be integrated into the fast-paced world of modern foodservice, offering consumers smart, sustainable choices without sacrificing the convenience they have come to expect.