Just because he knows the law, a consumer expert saves €70 a year on his coffee
It's not always included in our daily expenses. But the coffee we buy every morning on our way to work also adds up. To lighten the load, Olivier Dauvers, a consumer goods specialist, shared a simple and little-known tip on RTL radio.
Even better: the discount is actually mandated by law. The Environmental Code is very clear on this point. Vendors of takeaway drinks must offer a lower price when the customer brings their own reusable container, rather than serving their drink in a disposable cup. This provision stems from the anti-waste law for a circular economy, known as the Agec law.
This rule doesn't apply to espressos consumed at the bar counter. However, if you bring your own mug or reusable water bottle to a bakery or Starbucks to drink your coffee on the go, the business is required to give you a discount. The amount isn't specified in the law. According to Olivier Dauvers, the difference varies from one establishment to another, generally between 10 and 50 cents, with an average of around 30 cents. By saving a few cents each day, you gradually add up to a small nest egg. Let's take a working person who buys coffee 5 mornings a week for 47 weeks – assuming they take some vacation time, of course. With 30 cents saved each time, that amounts to €1.50 per week, or €70.50 by the end of the year.
Just a quick note before you show up with the first container you see: the container remains the consumer's responsibility. The shopkeeper can refuse to serve you if they deem it obviously dirty or unsuitable. The Environmental Code explicitly states this.
So all that's left is to get into the habit of slipping a clean mug into your bag before heading to work. Thirty cents at a time, not enough to break the bank. But after a year, the 70 or so euros saved will at least pay for a few rounds of drinks...
