A digitalised deposit-return system: a wine festival with no rubbish

At large events, disposable tableware is still used far too often, placing a strain on the environment. Alternatively, there are cumbersome deposit schemes involving small change, where guests have to queue and fiddle with coins. Four companies have joined forces to remedy this situation. Rent.Group, CircleCube, Koziol and Mainzplus have introduced the standardised, automated reusable model ‘Share.Ware’ for the entire 2026 Mainz Wine Festival. It covers the entire cycle, from the issue of tableware through to its return after the meal and on to cleaning.

Vending machines, tableware and a cycle

CircleCube has developed the modular deposit machines where guests can return their reusable containers. These plates and bowls are supplied by the manufacturer Koziol and contain an RFID tag. This Radio Frequency Identification technology can detect, read and track the item without physical contact and without requiring its own power source. The journey of each individual piece of tableware can thus be discreetly tracked in the background, from the food stall to the machine and into the washing line. In the process, the system recognises whether the deposit has already been refunded. Koziol manufactures at its Odenwald site in accordance with certified hygiene and quality standards. The Rent.Group ensures the entire Share.Ware circular process, in which the reusable items are supplied and reprocessed. Mainzplus has specifically chosen these partners in order to make future events even more environmentally friendly.

A range of benefits

The automated reusable container cycle delivers several benefits at once. At this major catering event, which attracted over 70,000 visitors, the use of around 10,000 single-use containers was prevented. One tonne of residual waste was also avoided. The system was available to all festival caterers and operators alike. This made the deposit system noticeably simpler for both organisers and guests. Waiting times for returning containers were significantly reduced, giving everyone more time to enjoy the event. And for the people behind the bar and behind the scenes, the work became easier too. The time-consuming and messy manual work was largely eliminated. Collection, logistics and washing up could now be carried out much more cost-effectively. This took the strain off the limited number of service staff.

A suitable setting for the trial

“Reusable systems work at large events if the return process is quick for guests and remains simple for the organiser. At the 2026 Mainz Wine Festival, we demonstrated how an automated return system eliminates long queues, simplifies back-end processes and thereby lowers the barrier to a genuine circular economy in everyday life. We were able to collect data on how fast and reliable the system was to use, and, for example, whether guests preferred to pay with cash or their credit card,” summarises Florian Blümer, Managing Director and co-founder of CircleCube. “This event offered ideal conditions for testing the system. The organisers placed great emphasis on sustainability, regionality and a high standard of event quality. This, combined with their openness to progressive ideas, motivated us to invest in the project,” says Uwe Thielsch, Sales Director at Koziol.

Radically reducing waste of resources

The pilot project demonstrates that, thanks to a smart deposit-return system, events can become more sustainable and cost-effective, whilst giving all guests more time to enjoy themselves. The digitalisation of the process represents a breakthrough, meaning that even at festivals with very large numbers of visitors, a standardised, resource-efficient system of hire tableware can be used. These consistently positive experiences are feeding into the further development of the technology. After all, the aim is to radically reduce the volume of waste at events. “We must break free from the one-way street of the 20th century. Make, buy, use, throw away – that’s a thing of the past. We need a shift in how we use things: use, care for, reuse. That’s how we save raw materials and avoid harmful emissions. So that we’ll still be able to enjoy a glass of wine in 50 years’ time,” says Christian Eichenberger, Managing Director of Rent.Group, with conviction.

Wide-ranging implementation

Katja Mailahn, Managing Director of Mainzplus, says: “Sustainability must not be a compromise at major events. If we succeed in saving resources whilst at the same time making the work of our exhibitors and the experience for our guests easier and more comfortable, then reusable systems will move from being a good intention to becoming the new standard. We are one of the largest event organisers in Mainz and the surrounding area. At our major outdoor events, such as the Mainzer Weinufer, the Mainzer Weinmarkt and the Mainzer Winterzeitmärkte, we already use reusable and deposit-based systems for drinks. When it comes to food, single-use materials have so far predominated. However, in line with our corporate strategy, we are striving for a comprehensive solution to conserve resources at our events. That is why we have joined forces with professional partners to establish systems that can be used in the long term. The result is a reusable concept with enormous potential, which was very well received by guests during the trial run. Our thanks go to our partners, as well as to the many caterers and stallholders who have embarked on this journey with us.”