Report | May 31, 2022
Best practice and policy recommendations for a plastic-free future for take-away vendors and large events
Disposable containers and packaging for takeaway food and drink are also among the most commonly found plastics in Danish nature.2 In Denmark, around 300 million single-use plastic cups and 150 million single-use plastic food boxes are used every year. 3 The number of disposable coffee cups alone is estimated at 130 million annually.4 A significant percentage of these single-use plastics is used in connection with the sale of food and drinks by take-away providers and for large events such as festivals, sports matches, and concerts. They are thrown away after a short period of use, creating large amounts of waste, as well as litter in nature and the marine environment.
It is not a given that single-use containers should be used for take-away services and large events. There is an alternative: re-usable cups, food boxes, and plates that can be returned, cleaned, and used again hundreds – or even thousands – of times. Closed reuse systems, such as deposit return systems, reduce the dependence on single-use plastic and are one of the most effective tools to prevent plastic from ending up in nature, especially in the marine environment. 2 This eliminates plastic pollution at the source.
This factsheet is also available in Danish.

