Lisbon has become the first world capital to launch a citywide system for returning reusable cups. Residents and tourists can get drinks at cafés and bars using special cups by paying a deposit of 60 cents. After use, they can be returned in a TOMRA machine and receive the full amount back—quickly and without registration.
The system is designed to cut down on single-use plastic: in the evenings, up to 25,000 cups are used in the city’s entertainment areas, and most of them are discarded. The new approach offers a convenient alternative and complements the city’s already existing ban on single-use tableware.
The initiative has the support of city authorities and the restaurant industry as an example of a sustainable urban model and a way to move toward a “circular” economy. Lisbon shows how simple solutions can change a city—and inspire others to take eco-friendly steps.
