Cologne-based FRÜH Gastronomie is introducing its own deposit system for food packaging—with sturdy, dishwasher-safe bowls and trays from a manufacturer in Oberberg. The reusable packaging comes from KeepIn, a subsidiary brand of the Jokey Group. It's a system that's making waves, in keeping with the Cologne name “Dillendöppche.”
Reusable instead of disposable. As a regional partner of Cologne-based FRÜH Gastronomie GmbH & Co. KG, we at KeepIn are delighted to have helped develop our own reusable system and to supply the new “FRÜH's Dillendöppche” packaging line. Our durable containers come from Bergneustadt in the Oberbergisches Land region and are part of our mission to make the catering industry more sustainable. The idea is simple, the effect is huge: guests take their food with them in sturdy, dishwasher-safe containers, return them after enjoying their meal, and receive them back cleaned and freshly filled. This way, our containers go round and round – just like the Cologne term “Dillendöppche” suggests: a spinning top that never stops. Once in circulation, the packaging stays in the system and helps conserve valuable resources.
We currently supply three types of packaging for the “FRÜH's Dillendöppche” reusable system: a sturdy tray for meal combinations, a large bowl (1,250 ml), and a smaller bowl (750 ml) for salads or soups. All are made of BPA-free polypropylene (PP), are microwave-safe, stackable, and designed for several hundred wash cycles. The deposit price is five euros per unit. Distribution and return take place in participating FRÜH Gastronomie branches. From there, they go into the dishwasher and back into circulation – in line with our claim that reusable packaging really works. Our packaging follows the principle of “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” Each unit is made from only as much material as necessary – for maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact. We are particularly pleased that FRÜH has chosen KeepIn: because here, two things that go together come together – responsible catering and ecologically sound packaging technology.
KeepIn was founded in 2023 and is the reusable brand of the Jokey Group, a family-owned company with decades of expertise in plastics. Our young label supplies restaurants, events, and system providers with durable packaging for cold and hot food—from bowls to coffee cups. Our goal: to drive the transition to durable, efficient, and environmentally friendly packaging. “FRÜH's Dillendöppche” shows how catering and sustainability can go hand in hand in a pragmatic, regional, and economical way. Guest feedback confirms that the system is accepted and works. And for us, the name Dillendöppche is much more than folklore – it stands for the movement that we are promoting together with catering partners such as FRÜH. Because every return, every refill is a contribution to resource conservation and CO₂ reduction. Those who participate are part of this movement – and part of the solution.
