Vending

Tomra installs reverse vending machines at German train station

Photo courtesy Tomra Reuse

May 28, 2026

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Norwegian company Tomra Reuse has installed two automated reusable-cup return machines at Freiburg Central Station in Germany, according to a press release, allowing consumers to return beverage cups at any time without interacting with a staffed counter. The machines that support the Recup reusable cup system automatically refund deposits to users' digital payment methods. Tomra said the infrastructure could eventually support additional reusable packaging formats beyond beverage cups.

Recup is a Germany-based reusable cup and food-container deposit system designed to reduce single-use packaging waste in restaurants, cafes and takeaway foodservice operations.

Company officials said the deployment is intended to make reusable packaging more convenient for consumers and help cities improve adoption of reuse systems. Freiburg recently introduced a tax on single-use meal containers and beverage cups, helping expand the city's reusable packaging network.

Tomra said the automated return stations increase the number of return points available to consumers, particularly in high-traffic transportation hubs. The company added that the Freiburg project marks the first time automated reusable returns have been integrated into an existing reusable packaging network in Germany.