In cooperation with German software provider for reusable packaging Vytal Global (Cologne; www.vytal.org), soft drinks group PepsiCo has designed a returnable cup to serve catering requirements. The 0.5 l container made of polypropylene, which has capacity markings for 0.3 l and 0.4 l, is provided with an RFID tag that aims to simplify the logistics governing the distribution and return of the cups. The cups are produced by Koziol (Erbach/Odenwald, Germany; www.koziol.de).

In the first step, the cup is loaned deposit-free via an app. “If it is not returned within the charge-free loan period of 14 days, it will be subject to a purchasing fee of EUR 4, as with all other cups,” said Vytal’s CEO Tim Breker, talking to Plasteurope.com. The founder of the returnable container supplier, which has around 60 employees throughout Europe, estimates an average of around 125 returns per cup.

The cup from Pepsi is set to make its debut in branches of fast-food chain Pizza Hut, but will in the future also be available at big events, the company said. The plan is for around 100,000 of such soft drinks containers to be distributed over the next two years.

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‍In addition to cups, Vytal also offers reusable dishes for foods such as sushi, pizzas, and burgers. To deal with services in the events sector, the start-up company – which has been operating since 2019 – established its own subsidiary at the beginning of this year under the name Vytal Events & Entertainment Solutions. It has, among other things, already provided this year’s Berlinale with reusable solutions.

Apart from returnable containers, Vytal also supplies the software to process and digitally track the value chain made up of rinsing, storage, delivery, distribution, and return.