Lisbon Introduces Citywide Reusable Cup System, Making It Europe's First Capital to Do So
Lisbon Launches Europe's First City-Wide Reusable Cup System
Lisbon, the vibrant European capital, has taken a significant step towards sustainability by launching a city-wide reusable cup system. This innovative initiative aims to reduce plastic waste, particularly in nightlife and hospitality venues, and replace millions of single-use cups annually with a standardised "Lisbon Cup" reusable option.
The system, which began in late June 2025, is a collaborative effort between the City of Lisbon, the reuse technology provider Tomra, and the hospitality association AHRESP (Associação da Hotelaria, Restauração e Similares de Portugal). Tomra operates the return points, handles cup tracking, cleaning, and redistribution via its Rotake platform.
Under the operation, residents and visitors buy drinks in reusable cups by paying a small refundable deposit of approximately €0.60. The cups can be returned to automated Tomra machines positioned initially at Praça de São Paulo and Praça do Príncipe Real, with plans to roll out a total of 17 return points across central Lisbon's downtown neighborhoods.
The initiative has shown promising results in its early stages. Within the first 40 days, over 10,000 cups were reused, with around 266 cups returned per day. The program targets preventing waste of up to 240,000 single-use cups monthly—about three million yearly. Lisbon uses over 3 million single-use cups annually, many of which pollute public spaces and the Tagus River.
Lisbon's reusable cup system is designed to significantly cut plastic waste and emissions, particularly from nightlife hotspots like Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré, and Santos. By promoting a reusable culture for takeaway drinks, Lisbon aims to lead by example in sustainable urban waste management. City councilors hope the system to be simple, reliable, and attractive enough to be replicated in other cities.
Portugal's capital, Lisbon, receives over 19 million visitors annually. With the city's commitment to sustainability, this innovative reusable cup system is expected to set a benchmark for capital cities across Europe.
For more information, visit Lisbon City Council's website or AHRESP's website.
References:
- Lisbon City Council Press Release
- Tomra Press Release
- Aarhus City Reusable Cup System Success Story
- The circular economy, driven by science and technological advancements, is evident in Lisbon's recent launch of a city-wide reusable cup system, a move that aligns with the broader scope of environmental-science and sustainable-living.
- This initiative, aimed at reducing plastic waste and mitigating climate-change impacts, is a collaborative effort between the City of Lisbon, Tomra, and AHRESP, signifying the intersection of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news.
- The usage of smart-home-devices, such as Tomra's Rotake platform, is instrumental in managing the return, tracking, cleaning, and redistribution of reusable cups.
- The reusable cup system, by promoting a lifestyle change in takeaway drink consumption, seeks to set an example for urban waste management, while also addressing the issue of plastic waste in the environment and the Tagus River.
- The successful implementation of this system in Lisbon could potentially influence other cities, not just in terms of home-and-garden improvements but also in terms of adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Given Lisbon's status as a popular tourist destination, with over 19 million visitors annually, the reusable cup system has the potential to set a benchmark for capital cities across Europe in their approach to environmental-science and sustainable living.
