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Packaging tax in Konstanz causes outraged citizens and violent reactions!
Konstanz will introduce a one-way tax in 2025, which will lead to strong reactions. Mayor Burchardt makes provocative comments.
Packaging tax in Konstanz causes outraged citizens and violent reactions!
On July 1, 2025, the city of Konstanz became the second city in Baden-Württemberg to introduce the one-way tax. This measure follows the example of the city of Tübingen, which has already established such a tax. But the introduction of the packaging tax has created a lot of conversation and led to emotional reactions among the population. One incident in particular further heated up tempers.
A stranger left an empty ice cream sundae on Mayor Uli Burchardt's (CDU) car with an angry message: "Have fun disposing of it! Dirty packaging tax. Shit Constance." This prompted Burchardt to respond on Facebook with a pointed comment: “F**k yourself!” These violent reactions show how sensitive the issue is in the Konstanz public, as [Stuttgarter News](https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/content. Verpackungssteuer-in-konstanz-boese-nachrichten-in-der-garage-ob-reagiert-mit-f-ck-dich-selbst.1f6eb410-08ce-4c32-8401-6b29958399f3.html) reported.
Packaging tax details
The packaging tax affects a wide range of products. For example, a tax is due on burger and pizza boxes. Baked goods in bakery bags, on the other hand, are usually exempt unless they are intended for direct consumption, such as warm Leberkäs rolls. Disposable cutlery, such as forks and spoons, are taxed at 20 cents, although there are exceptions such as ice cream spatulas or chip makers.
Information about the taxation of fast-track courts is particularly in demand. A kebab in a paper napkin is tax-free, while one in a kebab bag or aluminum foil costs 50 cents. The same applies to disposable ice cream cups, which are taxed at 50 cents net, while the classic ice cream cone is exempt from tax.
The reactions in Tübingen as a model
The experiences from Tübingen could be instructive for Konstanz. The Federal Administrative Court has decided that municipalities are allowed to levy this type of tax. However, there are also legal hurdles here: The Tübingen statutes had to be changed in parts in order to comply with the legal requirements. For example, the upper limit for the tax on disposable packaging, which was previously 1.50 euros per “single meal”, had to be revised because it was considered illegal. Tübingen has nevertheless benefited from the tax and there has been an increased demand for reusable tableware, as [Kommunal](https://kommunal.de/dict-kommunen-duerfen- Verpackungssteuer-erreichen) reports.
The Tübingen McDonald's branch reported income of around 870,000 euros last year, which shows that the tax can definitely have its financial impact. Around 440 businesses in Tübingen are affected, and opinions about the tax vary: While the German Association of Cities and Municipalities welcomes the decision, the catering industry remains skeptical because it fears distortions of competition.
The introduction of the packaging tax in Konstanz is not only a step towards reducing packaging waste, but also a hotly debated topic that is testing both local entrepreneurs and citizens. How the situation will ultimately develop remains to be seen.