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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.

Kurt Schüler was interviewed on the topic of “25 years of disposable deposits” (WDR 5 Quarks). Click here for the interview.

The German Federal Environment Agency has published the second part of a study in which GVM participated under the leadership of the Öko-Institut. The study evaluates various economic instruments that aim to reduce packaging consumption in Germany and improve the recycling of packaging materials. Click here to view the study.

In May 2025, the Federal Environment Agency published a study entitled “Promotion of reusable packaging systems to reduce packaging consumption.” GVM was part of the research consortium led by Ökopol GmbH. The study provides a basis of information for the design of environmental policy measures in favor of reusable packaging. Click here to view the study.

On February 12, 2025, GVM Managing Director Kurt Schüler gave a presentation on trends in the plastic packaging market at the IK Circular Packaging Days 2025. The presentation addressed the question of which plastic packaging was not yet recyclable in 2023. It also discussed what further progress can be expected to be made in the coming years.

At the beginning of January 2025, the Federal Environment Agency published the GVM study “Nationwide survey of data on the consumption of beverages in reusable beverage containers – reference year 2022”. As a result, 33.5% of all beverages consumed in Germany in 2022 were sold in reusable packaging. The full report is available for download from the Federal Environment Agency.