FAQ & technical data
Frequently asked questions about our reusable products
The production takes place in Berlin, because we want to avoid unnecessary and longer transport routes! Climate protection through low-emission composite production is absolutely important to us. After injection molding, the cups are packaged or refined. We manufacture everything in one house and thus avoid unnecessary journeys. Many other companies produce the cup, other suppliers refine it. There is thus an additional movement of goods, which significantly worsens the ecological balance.
The special thing is that we produce our products from European raw materials and bring them back free of charge at the end of their lifespan. The ÖkoCup + lid is then sorted and ground again into “recycled” material. We then use this to make new ÖkoCups or ÖkoDeckel. We are currently up to 90% in the first test results. How often this can be repeated is still unclear, as there is no basic research on this yet. We are assuming 8-10 times at the moment. This means that we pick up, check and grind the cup again after approx. 1,000 wash cycles. So we should be able to use the cup approx. 8.000 times until we can produce another secondary material (flower pot, etc.) from it.
>The current ÖkoCup range includes the following cup sizes that can be used for hot and cold drinks:
- 0.15l / 222ml / 7,5 oz (brimful)
- 0.25l / 320ml / 10.82 oz (brimful)
- 0.3l / 380ml / 12.85 oz (brimful)
- 0.4l / 511ml / 17.28 oz (brimful)
- 0.5l / 611ml / 20.66 oz (brimful)
We always deliver the cups without Lid The lids can also be purchased. This has several advantages:
- Easy to reorder if lost
- Mixing of lid colors possible
- Flexible reorders possible
- Cheaper for you as a customer
The separation is simpler and makes sense for the environment and the user. In this way we avoid unnecessary waste of raw materials.
We currently have the following colors:
- white
- black
- nature
- gray
- mokka
Due to our internal recycling, we combine the colors. From a quantity of approx. 8.000 pieces, we also offer special colors. We use Pantone as a basis for this.
Yes, our products are all without problems stackable.
Cups: 50 pieces and more can easily be stacked. Even with a lid, up to 5 pieces fit on top of each other. Different cup sizes can also be stacked one inside the other.
That saves space and is practical!
Yes, there is an approval according to DIN standard 10/2011, a corresponding conformity can be requested.
Almost everything! By using a special PP (polypropylene) and many different tests, we have the necessary approval (conformity) for a large number of contents. You can serve hot and cold drinks (also with alcohol), milkshakes, smoothies, ice cream, fruit salads, yoghurt, quark dishes, desserts, antipasti, olives, salads and much more. Only food is allowed. Use for acids, colors, etc. is not permitted. If you want to use the products for other things, please do not hesitate to contact us. PP does not absorb or emit any odors. PP is odorless and tasteless. PP is resistant to aqueous salt solutions, acids and alkalis. It is resistant to alcohol, solvents and detergents.
Temperatures over 150° C, oils and acids.
Depending on the type and duration of use, discoloration cannot be ruled out 100%. Our quality assurance department has tested various coloring spices, coffee and tea. The discoloration could not be seen even after many 100 uses with coffee.
Natural deposits can form in the case of deep scratches. Optionally, we have a special cleaning agentwith which the products appear in their old “shine” again. Cleaning in a glass washer would be ideal, so you avoid unnecessary discoloration from foreign food residues such as tomato sauce, etc.
After several hundred uses, we could not find any massive discoloration. We are open to yours feedback if you have other results.
Yes, the material is approved for use in the microwave. Whether with the cup or the matching lid.
All ÖkoCup products are suitable for household, gastro and industrial dishwashers as well as hand cleaning. We recommend cleaning at at least 65 ° to kill germs. All products survive aEven at 85 ° more than 1.000 wash cycles. We currently give a guarantee of up to 1,000 wash cycles, as we do not know the respective setting of the dishwasher. Our material has been thoroughly tested by one of the leading dishwasher manufacturers.
After production, the ÖkoCup is packed in 100% recycled cardboard, wrapping paper is inserted in each layer to protect the reusable cups.
We glue our cardboard boxes with wet adhesive tape that is 100% recyclable. No more foil!
Yes, the cartons of the drinking cups have a monochrome BPA-free print on both sides of the carton, which explains all the advantages to the customer in detail.
No, there is currently no Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) method. We are working on it and are constantly improving our product and our process in the area of sustainability.
We also manufacture your cup or lid! Send us an email with your requirements and we will make you an offer. We can replace our name with yours by using a suitable changing tool. We also have different sizes of lids.
The use of reusable cups, containers and dishes is becoming increasingly popular, especially to avoid packaging waste.
Hygiene is important here, which is why the German Food Association has three leaflets with accompanying instructional videos
released. The leaflets are considered economic guidelines.
Corresponding links and films can be found at food association.de
Questions about the ÖkoBowls
The production takes place in Berlin, because we want to avoid unnecessary and longer transport routes! Climate protection through low-emission composite production is absolutely important to us. After injection molding, the cups are packaged or refined. We manufacture everything in one house and thus avoid unnecessary journeys. Many other companies produce the cup, other suppliers refine it. There is thus an additional movement of goods, which significantly worsens the ecological balance.
The special thing is that we produce our products from European raw materials and bring them back free of charge at the end of their lifespan. The Ökobowl + lid is then sorted and ground again into “recycled” material. We then use them to make new ÖkoCups, Ökobowls or lids. We are currently up to 90% in the first test results. How often this can be repeated is still unclear, as there is no basic research on this yet. We are assuming 8-10 times at the moment. This means that we pick up, check and grind the cup again after approx. 1,000 wash cycles. So we should be able to use the cup approx. 8.000 times until we can produce another secondary material (flower pot, etc.) from it.
>The future range includes the following bowl variants that can be used for soups, hot and cold dishes:
Bowls:
- 434 ml / 14,67 oz (brimful)
- 598 ml / 20.22 oz (brimful)
- 1017 ml / 34,38 oz (brimful)
- 1367 ml / 46,22 oz (brimful)
Lid:
- 118 mm
- 167 mm
We always deliver the bowls without a lid. The lids can also be purchased. This has several advantages:
- Easy to reorder if lost
- Mixing of lid colors possible
- Flexible reorders possible
- Cheaper for you as a customer
The separation is simpler and makes sense for the environment and the user. In this way we avoid unnecessary waste of raw materials.
At the beginning we will start with the following basic colors:
- white
- black
- nature
- more colors will follow
Due to our internal recycling, we combine the colors. From an amount of approx. 2.000 we will also offer special colors later. We use Pantone as a basis for this.
Yes, our products are all without problems stackable.
Bowls: 50 pieces of each size can easily be stacked. Even with a lid, up to 15 pieces fit on top of each other.
Yes, there is an approval according to DIN standard 10/2011, a corresponding conformity can be requested.
Almost everything! By using a special PP (polypropylene) and many different tests, we have the necessary approval (conformity) for a large number of contents. You can serve hot and cold soups (also with alcohol), milkshakes, smoothies, ice cream, fruit salads, yoghurt, quark dishes, desserts, antipasti, olives, salads and much more. Only food is allowed. Use for acids, colors, etc. is not permitted. If you want to use the products for other things, please do not hesitate to contact us. PP does not absorb or emit any odors. PP is odorless and tasteless. PP is resistant to aqueous salt solutions, acids and alkalis. It is resistant to alcohol, solvents and detergents.
Temperatures over 150° C, oils and acids.
Depending on the type and duration of use, discoloration cannot be ruled out 100%. Our quality assurance department has checked various coloring spices such as turmeric, curry, cayenne pepper, paprika powder and beetroot powder. No spice could stain the surface.
Natural deposits can form in the event of deep cuts or scratches. Optionally, we have a special cleaning agent with which the products appear in their old “shine” again. Cleaning in a glass washer would be ideal, so you avoid unnecessary discoloration from foreign food residues such as tomato sauce, etc.
After several hundred uses, we could not find any massive discoloration. We are open to yours feedback if you have other results.
Our material is approved for use in the microwave.
All ÖkoCup products are suitable for household, gastro and industrial dishwashers as well as hand cleaning. We recommend cleaning at at least 65 ° to kill germs. All products survive aEven at 85 ° more than 1.000 wash cycles. We currently give a guarantee of up to 1,000 wash cycles, as we do not know the respective setting of the dishwasher. Our material has been thoroughly tested by one of the leading dishwasher manufacturers.
After production, the ÖkoCup is packed in 100% recycled cardboard, with a layer of packing silk inserted into each shift to protect the reusable cups.
We glue our cardboard boxes with wet tape that is 100% recyclable. No more slides!
Yes, the cartons of the drinking cups have a monochrome BPA-free print on both sides of the carton, which explains all the advantages to the customer in detail.
No, there is currently no Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) method. We are working on it and are constantly improving our product and our process in the area of sustainability.
We also manufacture your bowl or lid! Send us an email with your requirements and we will make you an offer. We can replace our name with yours by using a suitable changing tool. We also have different sizes of lids.
The use of reusable bowls is becoming more and more popular, especially to avoid packaging waste.
Hygiene is important here, which is why the German Food Association has three leaflets with accompanying instructional videos
released. The leaflets are considered economic guidelines.
Corresponding links and films can be found at food association.de
Frequently asked questions about printing
The colors have all the required approvals according to EU 10/2011. However, direct contact with food is not recommended. We therefore only print the products on the outside.
Yes, we offer monochrome printing on all products. Whether it is a cup, bowl or lid, printing is possible from one packaging unit. All products can be screen printed all around or partially. The colors have received all the required approvals according to EU 10/2011.
Why only one color?
1. Several colors pollute the plastic, which we want to use again in the end to make new cups, lids or bowls.
2. Energy (CO2) is used in printing and drying the ink. The more colors, the worse the CO2 balance. We therefore recommend our customers to reduce the display of their designs to one color. Through a Grid – or Negative pressure many creative variants are possible.
3. Unlike many other manufacturers, our products are not subjected to an upcycling or downcycling principle. We work according to that “Cradle to Cradle principle” that strives for a consistent and consistent circular economy.
We will deliver your order within 10-14 working days after the decor has been approved, unless there are seasonal fluctuations. The support will of course inform you of the delivery date in advance.
Yes, we also print the cups with negative printing. What is a negative printing process? Negative printing is a process in which the writing or drawing becomes visible after the surrounding area has been printed with color. The respective print image itself is therefore left out.
Yes, we also print the cups using halftone printing. What is a halftone print? In halftone printing, different gradations of the brightness of the print can be displayed in one print. Since we currently only print in one color for ecological reasons, we can still display color gradients using a raster process. The support will check your logo in advance to ensure a good and clear print image.
The suppliers of our paints certify that the paints and the respective accessories were manufactured in a “climate-neutral” manner.
The suppliers of our paints certify a GMP:
Good Manufacturing Practice is a part of quality assurance used in the pharmaceutical and food industries to ensure that products are manufactured in accordance with established quality standards. The GMP requirements are set out in various guidelines and regulations and apply to the manufacturing, packaging, storage and documentation of products to ensure their quality, safety and effectiveness. We ensure compliance with appropriate compliance.
Our cups and colors are tested according to DIN EN 12875-2:2002-03. An independent dishwasher test confirms no change in the cups and printing colors after more than 1,000 wash cycles. The only exception to this is the gold printing ink, which shows slight changes after just 500 washes. All tests were carried out with an industrial dishwasher at at least 85°.
Direct customers can use your products from 128 pieces return for free. Please note the points mentioned below for the return shipment.
This is how the return works
Please contact us by email before returning mein@oekocup.de or phone (030-403039-19) so that we can send you a return slip. Please note the amount returned on the corresponding return receipt.
Our hygiene regulations for returns
- Thoroughly clean all products before returning them, ideally in the dishwasher over 65 degrees to kill viruses and germs
- Pack the products well for transport (nothing should come out or fall over)
- Enclose our return slip, which we will send to you or you can create and print out yourself
- Hand in the package free of charge at the nearest DHL shop
From what quantity is the return free of charge?
Returns can from 128 pieces can be made free of charge. If you have fewer cups, you can dispose of them in the yellow bin (recycling bin). There, too, our cups are recycled for other products by the responsible waste disposal company. Please refrain from disposing of it in a public garbage can or in the residual waste, as the cups are sent there for thermal recycling (incineration).
Where can I get a DHL return label from?
Depending on the country, you can create a prepaid return label yourself using the corresponding link, but please contact us beforehand:
– Returns from Germany (DE)
– Returns from Austria (AT)
– Returns from Switzerland (CH)
Simply print it out, fill in our return slip, stick it on and hand it in at your nearest DHL branch.
Do you have a larger return? No problem!
Please contact us, we will give our shipping partners the order to collect the multi-dwelling products! Please place the cleaned goods in our ÖkoCup boxes on a pallet. It is ideal if you send the return with your new order, i.e. in 1 to 1 Connect exchange. Of the 1 to 1 Exchange is much better ecologically, as the driver only has to drive to you once, which saves fuel, Co2 and tire wear.
The products are carefully checked and sorted after receipt of the delivery. This is followed by cleaning and regranulation so that we can use the raw material again.
Recycled material from a gray ÖkoCup – Made in Berlin
According to Wikipedia, zero waste means: “It aims to lead a life in which as little waste as possible is produced and raw materials are not wasted. The goal is to be achieved in particular through refusal to consume, avoiding waste, repairs, reuse, composting and recycling. “
We can only support this movement. The products from the ÖkoCup try to avoid waste. The possible uses of our products are so diverse that with our cup you can save hundreds of disposable cups per use. A disposable cup is usually only used for about 15 seconds. Around 460,000 coffee-to-go cups are used in Berlin every day. That makes an unbelievable sum of 167 million cups per year, only in Berlin.
source:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_Waste
https://www.bmu.de/faqs/coffee-to-go-becher/
Many manufacturers have been writing for some time 100% recycling on your products. Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true. It is correct that PP and many other plastics (depending on the color) can also be reprocessed into new products (mostly secondary materials) if disposed of correctly. Example: a mug becomes a flower pot. But that’s not recycling, it’s a Downcycling or upcycling. . After a few cycles, the material can no longer be used.
Also, too many recyclable raw materials are still fed to the thermal recycling (incineration) via the household or residual waste bin due to incorrect disposal by the consumer (not in the recycling bin). The raw material is destroyed in this case, although it still brings a little heat through burning, the material is then gone.
The cycle is interrupted and new material has to be produced. New production generates electricity, oil, water and many other raw materials that do not have to be used again for recycling. We try that Cradle to Cradle principle, that strives for a consistent and consistent recycling economy. Only when we get our products back can the cycle close and the material come back into circulation.
Customers who buy our products have from one packaging unit the right to return the products to us at our expense. Upon receipt of the products, we carefully check, sort, clean and grind them again.
The effort of recycling after Cradle to Cradle principle is significantly higher to process than new material. Many requirements and regulations must be observed so that the material can be reused for our products. We informed customers who only buy a few cups from us that disposal in the recycling bin would at least lead to downcycling.
We use a special PP (polypropylene) to produce the ÖkoCup. PP does not contain any harmful plasticizers, does not absorb or give off odors. PP is odorless and tasteless. PP is resistant to aqueous salt solutions, acids and alkalis. It is resistant to alcohol, solvents and detergents. Our material is also BPA & melamine free and does not contain any other composites or resins!
The plastic granulate comes from the EU. Many manufacturers write Made in Germany on their products, but the raw material mostly comes from Asia. Transport etc. destroys any ecological balance. This is also the main reason why we don’t use bamboo.
Bioplastics, bioplastics or bio-based plastics are plastics that are produced on the basis of renewable raw materials. We initially decided against bioplastics. The raw materials for bio-based plastics usually come from plants rich in starch and cellulose, such as maize or miscanthus, but sometimes also oil seeds or wood. Animal products are only used very rarely. Biodegradable plastics can be made from thermoplastic starch, cellulose, degradable polyesters and polylactide (PLA). Polylactide is the polymer of lactic acid, which is also obtained from starch or cellulose. Some degradable polyesters are sometimes made from petroleum. This means that not all biodegradable plastics are also bio-based. Often there are also mixtures, for example of PLA and degradable polyesters.
Are bio-based plastics therefore more sustainable than conventional plastics? Unfortunately not. From comparative life cycle assessments of simple objects and packaging, we know that the environmental impact is not significantly improved if the raw materials are bio-based instead of fossil-based. The effects tend to shift: While conventional fossil-based plastics release more climate-relevant CO2, the ecological footprint of bio-based plastics is expressed in a higher acidification and eutrophication potential as well as a certain land requirement.
The reason is the agricultural production of the raw materials. There may be competition for areas with food production or compensation and forest areas may become less. Likewise, our numerous tests have not resulted in a particularly good recycling rate or recycling rate.
Sustainable does not only mean that the production takes place in an environmentally conscious manner, but also that the products can be reused as long and as often as possible.
You can find more about organic plastics here: Article on bio-plastics (PDF)
- Plastic is not biodegradable
- Plastic is difficult to recycle unless there is a cycle
- Plastic stays in the environment for a long time if it is not properly disposed of
- Plastic is light, which saves fuel and energy
- Plastic is a perfect thermal insulator (no cold or heat conductor)
- Plastic is heat resistant
- Plastic is cheaper than other raw materials
- Plastic is absolutely pure, which makes it especially indispensable for medicine
- Plastic can be used flexibly
- Plastic can be produced evenly, its quality is constant
Bamboo is a rapidly growing raw material that certainly appears sustainable at first sight. Bamboo currently only grows in China, Japan, Africa, South America and Australia. The transport route of almost 20,000 km is very long and is usually carried out with container ships. A medium-sized ship consumes approx. 300 tons of crude oil per day when fully loaded (approx. 6,000 containers). Large amounts of sulfur oxides, fine dust, nitrogen oxides and soot are also produced. In order to get in shape, a beautiful bamboo cup needs a lot of glue (melamine resin) in addition to bamboo fiber powder in order to be connected and leakproof. The adhesive (melamine resin) is not necessarily unhealthy for humans, as long as it is clear what exactly it contains and provided that the content never reaches more than 70 degrees with coffee or tea. Coffee is usually served at 62-75 degrees and tea at 85-95 degrees. Many consumer advice centers therefore warn against coffee mugs made of bamboo. In addition, the many beautiful colors on the mug can also migrate into the drink. Unfortunately, many importers do not even know what is in the coffee mugs themselves …
You can find more about this really explosive topic under the link: https://www.ua-bw.de/pub/beitrag.asp?ID=2609&subid=1&Thema_ID=3&lang=DE
We all know the nicely printed and coated disposable cups. We have often asked ourselves: what might migrate into the coffee or the cola? Another study by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has now shown that the cups contain many different chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment. According to the UBA, various harmful substances have been found in the blood of children and adolescents, some of which can be traced back to the use of such cups.
In addition to the coating, printing is also an issue. Color that can be transferred when the cups are stacked.
The more colors there are on such cups, the more pollutants there are. For this reason, too, we decided to print the ÖkoCup with just one color.
In addition to the health situation, the ecological footprint is also significantly higher for cups with multiple printing. You can find more about this really explosive topic under the link: https://www.presseportal.de/pm/22521/4647630
No, we have had our products tested for the smallest particles several times by an approved Berlin laboratory. All tests possible so far were free of microplastics.
Frequently asked questions about vending machine solutions
A corresponding vending machine for dispensing cups is in progress. Vending machines will soon be available for this too. If you are interested, simply contact our customer support.
Yes, a return machine for cups can be ordered separately. Here one Video ours Cup return machine .
Not yet, a corresponding vending machine for returning the bowls is in progress. Vending machines will soon be available for this too. If you are interested, simply contact our customer support.
Yes, a return machine for cups can be ordered separately. Here one Video ours Cup return machine .
The machine takes back used cups and lids. Depending on whether a cup is returned with or without a lid, the corresponding deposit will be paid out accordingly.
At the moment there are 2 payment options available: cash or by receipt.
The customer can then redeem the receipt like a voucher. The products are sorted in the machine in a mobile collecting station (wheelchair) according to cups or cups with lids.
The machine can accommodate 700 cups without any problems, then the collecting container must be replaced. The wheelchair can be removed or exchanged via a small ramp. Previous customers bring the cups with the wheelchair to the washing center, wash the cups and then put them back into circulation.
