Europe Set for Reusable Cup Wash Crisis as BMI Korea Offers Solution

From February 12, 2028, European food service establishments offering takeaway will be required to provide reusable packaging as part of a formal reuse system. The European Parliament's directive aims to reduce packaging waste, but a critical challenge lies in the infrastructure for cleaning these reusable cups. A 30-year-old Korean company, BMI Korea, claims to have developed a solution to this pressing issue.

BMI Korea specializes in high-pressure washing equipment and has designed the HPW-5000, a machine capable of washing up to 5,000 reusable cups per hour at 50 BAR, five times faster than manual washing. The system is designed to install at the front end of existing wash lines, ensuring no need for full-line replacement. According to the company, the HPW-5000 can replace 4 to 5 manual workers per line, significantly reducing labor costs and improving efficiency.

The European Union generated 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2023, with 177.8 kg of packaging waste per citizen. Of the plastic packaging, only 42.1% was recycled. The demand for disposable cups is expected to reach 491 billion units by 2028, with the UK alone consuming 7 million cups daily and producing 30,000 tonnes of waste annually. The transition to reusable cups is seen as a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions, with reusable cups cutting emissions by up to 69% compared to single-use cups.

However, the lack of adequate washing infrastructure poses a major hurdle. BMI Korea CEO Sang Koo Lee explains, "Reusable cups cut emissions 69%, but only if operators can wash them fast enough. Europe legislated the deadline. It has not built the washing capacity. That's the crisis we solve."

The HPW-5000 is not the only model available. BMI Korea also offers the HPW-1000, which can wash 1,000 cups per hour, and the Lid Washer, which can clean 1,000 lids per hour. The company has installed over 89 systems across 28 countries, including with the world's leading bottled water brands. BMI Korea's systems have been in continuous operation in Korea for more than two years and are set to be delivered to Japan in October 2026.

The European Union's Public Procurement Waste Reduction Regulation (PPWR) mandates a 5% reduction in waste by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040. The implementation of these targets will require robust washing infrastructure to ensure the widespread adoption of reusable packaging. BMI Korea's HPW-5000 and other models are seen as key components in achieving these goals.

In conclusion, the European Union's 2028 mandate on reusable packaging presents a significant challenge in terms of waste management. However, with the advent of advanced washing technologies like the HPW-5000 from BMI Korea, the industry is taking a significant step towards meeting these ambitious targets.