50 Cent per Cup: Potsdam Plans Packaging Tax - Potsdam's 50-cent tax on disposable packaging sparks debate before March vote
Potsdam is set to introduce a new tax on single-use packaging this year. The measure, aimed at reducing waste, will target vendors selling food and drinks in disposable containers. A formal proposal will go before the municipal assembly in early March.
The tax will add 50 cents to every single-use cup, plate, or container sold in the city. Disposable cutlery will carry a 20-cent charge. If approved by the assembly on March 4, the rules will come into force in July.
Potsdam's treasurer, Burkhard Exner, argues that the levy will cut down on disposable waste and tidy up the city. The plan follows Los Angeles' example, where a similar tax has been in place since 2022. Meanwhile, Cologne's city council has also cleared the way for its own version of the charge.
Criticism has come from business groups, including the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga). Industry representatives warn that the tax could hurt vendors and food service providers. Despite opposition, Berlin's districts are now pushing for their own single-use packaging levies.
The proposal will be voted on in early March, with implementation planned for July. If passed, Potsdam will join a growing list of German cities adopting such measures. The tax's impact on waste reduction and local businesses will become clearer once it takes effect.
