Lisbon Becomes First European Capital with Full Reusable Cup Scheme

Landmark initiative aims to reduce litter and emissions through digital deposit-return system, developed with TOMRA and AHRESP.

Lisbon, Portugal – In a major step toward circular sustainability, Lisbon has become the first European capital to implement a city-wide reusable cup program supported by a local deposit-return system. Spearheaded by a collaboration between the City of Lisbon, TOMRA, and AHRESP, the initiative is set to significantly reduce plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while bringing reuse innovation to the city’s bustling nightlife and hospitality venues.

The system officially launched on Friday, 27 June, with TOMRA-operated return points introduced at historic kiosks in Praça de São Paulo and Praça do Príncipe Real. Patrons now receive beverages in reusable cups, placing a refundable deposit that is returned instantly by tapping their card or phone at smart return kiosks. A full-scale roll-out is expected by October 2025.

A Digital System Built for Cities

TOMRA’s “Rotake” reuse platform powers the entire infrastructure—covering digital tracking, cup collection, sanitation, and redistribution. Known globally for their reverse vending machines, TOMRA ensures the system remains efficient, hygienic, and environmentally optimized.

“We’re proud to partner with Lisbon on this first-of-its-kind city system in a European capital,” said Geir Sæther, Head of TOMRA Reuse. “The system deployed in Lisbon is designed specifically for urban areas – making reuse easy, clean and rewarding for everyone involved.”

Each night, over 25,000 cups are used in Lisbon’s nightlife scene. Until now, there was no infrastructure to collect and recirculate these “reusable” cups.

Enabling Policy + Infrastructure

The initiative follows the Lisbon Municipal Regulation that bans single-use plastic cups, which created the need for a scalable reuse system. With TOMRA’s full-service solution and strong local support, Lisbon is now ready to make a lasting impact.

“Lisbon is committed to leading by example… This is a concrete step toward building a culture of reuse in our city,” said Rui Cordeiro, City Councillor for Waste Management and Circular Economy.

Hospitality Sector at the Core

AHRESP, Portugal’s largest hospitality association, plays a crucial role in onboarding cafés, bars, and venues into the reuse loop.

“This initiative represents a necessary shift… enabling HoReCa to lead sustainable change,” stated Carlos Moura, President of AHRESP.

Real-Time Demonstration at MUDE

The system was officially showcased at Lisboa a Reutilizar, held at Lisbon’s Museum of Design (MUDE). Attendees including urban planners, policymakers, and environmental experts experienced the TOMRA return points in action.

How It Works:

Consumers pay a €0.60 refundable deposit for drinks in reusable cups
Cups are returned via TOMRA collection kiosks around the city
No app or registration needed—refund is issued instantly via card or phone
TOMRA handles logistics, cleaning, and redistribution for full reuse

By October 2025, Lisbon will introduce a standardized “Lisbon Cup”, with 17 return points across central neighborhoods.

Inspired by Aarhus, Denmark – With Bigger Ambitions

Following TOMRA’s success in Aarhus, where over 1 million cups were returned with an 85% return rate in just 18 months, Lisbon plans to exceed those results.

“This is not just about cups. It’s about changing how cities think about resources,” said Sæther. “Lisbon is showing that with the right partners and smart policy, reuse can be mainstream, modern, and massively effective.”