German food makers plan reusable glass jar deposit scheme for 2026

An alliance of 26 German food and beverage brands, organised by Berlin-based reuse operator Dotch, plans to launch standardised refillable glass jars for pickles, preserves and sauces with a EUR 0.25 deposit before the end of 2026. The scheme extends a reusable glass bottle system Dotch already runs for cooking oil, which is accepted at more than 1,800 organic-food stores in Germany and Austria with a EUR 0.50 deposit.

Why this mattersA standardised multi-brand refill pool would shift preserved-food volume from single-use glass to returnable jars, cutting container glass demand in Germany.

• Introduction of the reusable jars is planned during 2026; no binding nationwide start date or list of participating retailers has been published.
• Dotch has designed three standardised screw-top jar sizes of 375ml, 580ml and 720ml for sweet and sour preserves.
• The deposit is EUR 0.25 per jar, against EUR 0.50 for Dotch's existing reusable cooking-oil bottles.
• The 'Glas kann mehrWeg' alliance counts 26 manufacturers and brands, up from 24 at its presentation in early June 2026.
• Participants include Carl Kühne, Develey, Feinkost Dittmann, Andros and Werder Feinkost.
• Reusable oil bottles are taken back at more than 1,800 organic-food stores in Germany and Austria; the jars are to be returned through existing reverse vending machines.

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