Austria: legal mandate for reusable containers at public events

Three Austrian states where single-use is no longer legal at events

In Salzburg, Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), and Vienna, there are legally binding requirements for reusable food and beverage containers at public events: Salzburg above 600 visitors, Upper Austria above 300, and Vienna above 1,000. Zero Waste Austria supports municipalities and event organisers in meeting these requirements and advocates for the obligation to be expanded to additional states.

What the mandate covers

• Reusable cups, plates, and food containers must be used for on-site catering at events above the threshold
• Single-use alternatives must be replaced or offset by a reuse system
• Zero Waste Austria provides guidance on compliant reuse systems and supplier contacts
• The trend toward reusable cups is growing even in states without a legal obligation

How to engage

• Event organisers in Salzburg, Upper Austria, and Vienna: ensure your event catering uses a reusable system above the visitor threshold: contact Zero Waste Austria for a list of system providers
• Event organisers in other Austrian states: adopt reuse voluntarily as the trend grows: the legal obligation in three states is making reuse the expected standard nationally
• Advocates: push your state government to adopt a similar mandate: the three-state model provides a template

Why it matters

Legal mandates create level playing fields: no event organiser is disadvantaged for going reusable when everyone is required to. Austria's three-state approach is building the market for reuse infrastructure at scale.

Source & repost

Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it.

• Lead: Zero Waste Austria: Verein westwinkel
• Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th edition