Firmly connected lid nerves consumers when drinking

Even one year after the introduction, many people find firmly attached lids on bottles or tetrapaks as impractical. Almost two thirds criticize that drinking is more cumbersome, as can be seen from a study by the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decorations (NIM). It is often criticized that the so -called tethered caps interfere with pouring out and are difficult to close.

The institute asked around 1,000 people from 18 and 74 years in May. The result: only twelve percent have no problems with the new lids. 63 percent you find it worse to handle than conventional closures. « The firmly connected bottle closure does not have many friends in Germany, » says Matthias Unfried, head of the behavioral research department at the NIM.

Loose locking caps have been banned in certain drinks since July 2024. Since then, manufacturers have to design the closures so that they remain connected to the bottle – even after opening. The requirement aims to reduce the garbage in the landscape.

Every fifth avoids products with solid lids

The Association of German Mineral Fountain (VDM) questions the benefits of the regulation. A problem was solved with the new lids, « that did not exist, » says a spokeswoman. PET draft bottles with a deposit in this country would have a collective rate of almost 100 percent anyway, mostly including the closure. Leaving has already been effectively prevented.

According to the survey, only one in three sees an advantage for environmental protection in the new lids. In young people, parents and environmentally conscious consumers, the proportion is only slightly higher. Despite the criticism, the VDM observes a habituation effect: the number of symptoms has decreased significantly, the buying behavior has not changed significantly.

According to their own statements, 23 percent less often drink directly from the bottle, 20 percent avoid products with firmly connected lids. However, according to the NIM survey, the majority adheres to their drinking habits. A wide boycott is not in sight, says expert unfried. « As big as the trouble with the lids is – the Germans seem to be arranging overall. »

The changeover last year had also followed for the wholesale of drinks. Plants had to be built or rebuilt. According to the industry association, investments in the millions were necessary.