Municipal packaging taxes apply to 0.7 percent of total packaging consumption in Germany. This is the finding of a study by GVM Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung and ifeu – Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg gGmbH (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg). The study focuses on the economic and environmental impact of municipal packaging taxes.
Kurt Schüler presented the key findings of the study at a press conference on August 6th, focusing on the ecological, economic and administrative consequences of municipal packaging taxes.
The complete study can be found here as well as the press conference of GVM and ifeu here or under Downloads on our website.
The Federal Environment Agency published the GVM study on the consumption of beverages in reusable containers. In 2024, 34.5% of the beverages consumed in Germany across all segments were bottled and sold in reusable containers. The full report is available for download from the Federal Environment Agency.
Click here for the full study.
The WWF has published a study on the environmental impacts and potential of bioplastics, with a particular focus on the opportunities and challenges of bio-based packaging materials. The study was carried out under the direction of the ifeu Institute Heidelberg, with contributions from GVM. Further information can be found here.
The GVM study on the generation and recycling of packaging waste in 2023 commissioned by the UBA has been published. Compared to 2022, the volume of packaging has fallen by 5.8% or 1.1 million tons. You can find the complete study here.
The EU-Commission and the German Federal Environment Agency are conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive. The study aims to analyse the effectiveness of the existing plastic reduction measures and their practical implementation in Germany. In addition, legislative amendments will be proposed. The Federal Environment Agency has appointed the Öko-Institut as the main contractor. Furthermore, the GVM supports the study by providing in-depth market analysis. The research project was reported in an article published by Euwid.
In issue 17 of Lebensmittel Zeitung (published on April 24, 2026), Kurt Schüler, Managing Director of GVM, analyses the current state of research on sustainable packaging solutions for food products. The focus is on research projects funded by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) as part of the Repack network. The article, titled “Fresh Ideas for Food Packaging,” discusses the status of the development and implementation of the solutions that have been developed.
By 2026, EU Member States are required to present / certify a quantifiable reduction in the consumption of single-use items (or more specifically: food containers and beverage cups) covered by Article 4 of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. Accordingly, the Federal Environment Agency has published a study from GVM with results for Germany covering the reference years 2020 to 2022.
Here for more information.
In collaboration with GVM Managing Director Kurt Schüler, the RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research published a scientific article, in which effects of a packaging tax in Germany was examined using a well-grounded model-based approach.
This article offers a a scientifically grounded perspective to the ongoing debate on economic policy measures to reduce packaging waste.
You can view the publication here.
In November, Kurt Schüler testified as an expert witness before the Gelsenkirchen Administrative Court. The GVM expert opinion was the subject of the trial, which concerned the mandatory participation of shoe boxes from the Deichmann Group in the system. However, the Gelsenkirchen Administrative Court dismissed Deichmann’s lawsuit and did not allow an appeal. More information can be found here.
On November 11, the RePack network hosted a symposium providing insights into innovation projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH). GVM provided expert support to the network and was represented at the event by Kurt Schüler and Nicolas Cayé.