According to Travel Tomorrow, Lisbon became the first European capital to implement a citywide plastic cup deposit scheme on 27 June 2025, marking a pivotal shift towards circular economy practices. Introduced by the Lisbon City Council in partnership with TOMRA and AHRESP, the initiative bans single-use plastic cups and introduces a deposit-return system to reduce waste in nightlife and hospitality venues.

Consumers pay a EUR 0.60 refundable deposit at the point of purchase and return the cups via smart kiosks for instant reimbursement. The scheme aims to standardise reusable cups across the city by autumn 2025, setting a precedent for urban sustainability.

For more information, please refer to the provided link.

#Zero-waste initiatives #Circular tourism economy #Climate-friendly tourism practices #Green transition #Resource efficiency