Lisbon Introduces City-Wide System for City-Wide Reusable Cups: A European Capital First
Lisbon Launches Europe's First City-Wide Reusable Cup System
Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal, has taken a significant step towards sustainability by implementing a city-wide reusable cup system. This innovative initiative, backed by a local deposit-return model, aims to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote a circular economy.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Lisbon City Council, AHRESP (the hospitality association), and TOMRA, a global leader in circular economy solutions. TOMRA's expertise in reverse vending machines will ensure the collection, cleaning, and reuse of the reusable cups.
The system works by customers paying a small refundable deposit to receive drinks in reusable cups. These cups can be returned to special collection machines around the city for cleaning and reuse. The first TOMRA-operated return points went live at two historical kiosks in Praça de São Paulo and Praça do Príncipe Real on June 27, 2023.
The impact of the initiative has been immediate. Over 10,000 cups have been reused within the first 40 days, averaging 266 returns daily. The city aims to prevent the waste of up to 240,000 cups per month, equivalent to about 3 million cups a year, a significant reduction in plastic pollution.
Lisbon's councilor for waste and circular economy, Rui Cordeiro, emphasises the city's commitment to sustainability. The goal is to develop a simple, reliable, attractive, and replicable system that can serve as a model for other cities. President Carlos Moedas has reinforced this as a key step in strengthening Lisbon’s sustainability policies and supporting the city’s transition towards a circular economy.
The full roll-out of the reusable cup system is planned for October 2025, with 17 return points planned across the downtown area. By this time, a standardised "Lisbon cup" will be introduced for all participating bars and venues in central neighbourhoods.
This pioneering public-private partnership leverages smart deposit-return technology to reduce plastic waste, encourage conscious consumption, and make measurable progress towards a circular economy. Lisbon's reusable cup system is seen as a demonstration of how reuse can be mainstream, modern, and effective.
AHRESP, representing Portugal's hospitality and tourism sectors, supports businesses and advocates for sustainable growth and innovation. TOMRA's mission is to create a world without waste through smart collection, sorting, and reuse technology.
Lisbon's reusable cup system is a significant step towards a greener future for the city. By tackling plastic waste, slashing emissions, and bringing a smarter reuse model to Lisbon's nightlife and hospitality sector, Lisbon aims to set a benchmark for capital cities across Europe.
For more information, you can visit the websites of the Lisbon City Council, AHRESP, and TOMRA Reuse.
[1] Lisbon City Council: https://www.cm-lisboa.pt/ [2] AHRESP: https://www.ahresp.pt/ [3] TOMRA Reuse: https://www.tomra.com/reuse [4] TOMRA's press release on Lisbon's reusable cup system: https://www.tomra.com/en/news/press-releases/lisbon-launches-europes-first-city-wide-reusable-cup-system [5] The Guardian's article on Lisbon's reusable cup system: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2023/jun/27/lisbon-launches-europe-first-city-wide-reusable-cup-system-to-tackle-plastic-waste
- This city-wide reusable cup system in Lisbon, a testament to environmental-science and sustainable-living, is backed by collaboration between science and technology, as demonstrated by TOMRA's expertise in circular economy solutions.
- The circular economy initiative in Lisbon, aiming to combat climate-change through reducing single-use plastic waste, stretches beyond the city limits, inspiring home-and-garden lifestyle changes that promote reuse and minimal environmental impact.
- As Lisbon spearheads Europe's first city-wide reusable cup system, the movement encourages a shift in lifestyle, fostering a commitment towards reducing plastic waste, supporting science-driven policies, and adopting a more sustainable approach, aligned with the principles of both the circular economy and environmental-science.
