Shoe Box Dispute: Why Deichmann is Suing Over Waste Costs - Deichmann fights unfair shoe box disposal fees in landmark legal battle
Shoe retailer Deichmann is taking legal action against a regulatory authority over the costs of disposing of shoe boxes. The company argues it is being unfairly charged for waste disposal, even though most boxes never leave its stores. A recent court opinion suggests Deichmann’s case may fail, but the outcome could still shape future rules for retailers.
Deichmann sold around 90 million pairs of shoes in Germany last year. The majority of customers left the boxes behind in-store, where the retailer recycles them through its own waste system. Despite this, the Central Agency for Packaging Registers (ZSVR) classifies the boxes as ‘system-participation obligated’ because some are shipped to private buyers, particularly through online orders.
The court’s preliminary view suggests Deichmann will have to keep paying the dual system fees. However, the final ruling will determine whether the retailer’s arguments gain traction. The decision may also influence how similar waste disposal costs are applied across the industry.
