About RECUP
RECUP is a Munich-based company that operates one of Germany’s largest reusable packaging systems for the food-service industry. Through its RECUP cups and REBOWL containers, the company provides standardized, dishwasher-safe, BPA‑free, and recyclable cups and bowls that cafés, bakeries, restaurants, canteens, and other partners can use for coffee-to-go and takeaway meals. Customers pay a small deposit (typically €1 for a cup and €5 for a bowl) when they receive their drink or meal in a RECUP/REBOWL container and get the deposit back when they return it to any participating partner location across Germany. ([recup.de](https://recup.de/en/?utm_source=openai))
A RECUP charge on a card statement generally relates to a deposit-based transaction or other payment processed through their reusable system. This can occur when you get a takeaway drink or meal in a RECUP cup or REBOWL bowl at a participating outlet and the merchant’s terminal or online payment setup sends RECUP, rather than the individual café’s name, as the descriptor. The charge may represent the deposit itself, other associated fees, or settlement routed via RECUP’s platform for participating gastronomy partners. In some cases, multiple small amounts may appear if you made several to-go purchases on the same day at different partners within the RECUP network.
If you are unsure about a RECUP charge, start by checking your recent takeaway food and beverage purchases in Germany, especially where you received a reusable cup or bowl instead of a disposable container. Look for receipts from cafés, bakeries, or restaurants that advertise RECUP/REBOWL or a deposit system; these often note the deposit amount. You can also visit recup.de or use their location finder/app to identify partner businesses you may have visited, and contact the specific café or restaurant directly with the date and amount of the transaction. If the charge still seems unfamiliar or appears duplicated, contact your bank or card issuer to dispute the transaction and ask them to provide the full transaction details, including merchant ID and location, which can help confirm whether it is linked to a RECUP partner outlet.