Vytal | FAQs Questions and Answers

How does the Vytal app work?

After registering, you will find your delivery token for orders via third-party providers (Lieferando and Wolt) and the buttons for borrowing and returning your Vytals under the banner in the Vytal app. If you click on the lower middle button, you will also have the option to borrow or return your Vytals, or even show your own QR code. You can use these options to borrow our reusable containers free of charge for 14 days at participating Partners . The restaurateurs will scan the QR code on the Vytals and the one in your app to link you together. Meanwhile, you can also scan the Vytals yourself and show the confirmation on site. For delivery orders, the restaurateurs usually scan the Vytals themselves. When the container is returned, only the QR code on the container is scanned in order to charge it back to you. This means that colleagues, friends and acquaintances can also return your Vytals for you.

What does the Vytal system cost?

The Vytal system is completely free of charge for customers. We are financed by the caterers who pay a small fee per filling of our Vytals. Nevertheless, they save money because the cost of disposable packaging is usually higher than our filling fee. In addition, if a Vytal is not returned to our Partners within the 14-day return period, customers are automatically charged 10 euros per bowl and 4 euros per cup.

Why do I have to enter a means of payment?

The means of payment serve on the one hand as security, since we issue the Vytals without a deposit, and on the other hand as a method of payment in case you want to use our pre-order or delivery function.

How can I borrow Vytals?

In the Vytal app you will see our Partners near you. When ordering, please say that you would like to have your food or drink in Vytal. When you place your order, either the QR code on the Vytal and the one in your app will be scanned by the partner restaurant, or you scan the Vytal itself. When you order through the Vytal app, your personal code is automatically sent to our Partners so they can already book the Vytals to your account. For orders placed with Vytal Partners via delivery services, you need to copy your delivery token into the comment field.

Is it possible to buy your containers?

In principle, our Vytals are not available for purchase via our app, as our system is only sustainable if the Vytals end up back in circulation as quickly as possible. However, if Vytals are not returned within the 14-day free loan period, 10 euros per bowl and 4 euros per cup will automatically be debited from your deposited payment method. The Vytal is then yours and can be used privately. A refill is no longer possible, otherwise it would become our property again.

Where can I return my borrowed container ?

You can select on the map in the Vytal app Partners and see which bins they accept. Then just drop by, return Vytals and you're done. Only the QR code on the bin is needed for drop-off, not your personal QR code.

Does the container have to be rinsed before being returned?

Please rinse your Vytals before you put them back into circulation. This will save your favorite restaurant a lot of work. Of course, all Partners rinse the vytals in their industrial dishwashers before handing them out, so that they are always hygienically clean when you check them out.

Can I use Vytal without the app?

Using Vytal without an app is possible with our offline card. The offline card is a membership card that you can buy for a one-time fee of 10 Euros at our Partners . With it you can use the system completely anonymously and without the 14-day return period. The offline card is an analog version of the app and therefore can not map all app features. Since we issue the Vytals without a deposit, the offline card can only be used to borrow two Vytals at a time. When you return them, the card is unblocked and you can borrow the next two Vytals. If no partner restaurant near you has offline cards, you are also welcome to order one at hallo@vytal.org. Please note: The offline card is a purchase card, so redemption is excluded. The ten euros serve as security (like the deposited means of payment in the app). If you do want to switch to the app, the card can be linked to the app. In this process, a credit in the form of ten Vytal credits is credited to your account.

Can I use Vytal through delivery services?

With your Vytal delivery token, you can have your food conveniently delivered from Vytal-Partners , whether you order through their own website or through third-party portals (Lieferando, Wolt). Just copy your delivery token and paste it into the comment field at the end of the order. The restaurant can then link the container to your account and give it to the driver. You can find the delivery token in the app by clicking on the middle button at the bottom and then on "Deliver". For privacy and security reasons, the delivery token is only valid for six days.

How long is the free loan period and can I extend it?

You have 14 days to return our Vytal to one of our Partners . You can also extend the return period by one week for one euro, if the period is not enough for you.

How do I know when to return the containers?

You will see in the Vytal app how many more days you can rent the Vytals for free. We will also remind you via email and push notifications when you return your Vytals, if you have allowed us to send you these notifications. You can find them in the app under "Profile" (bottom right button) and "Settings".

I missed my return deadline - can I still return the container?

At the end of the 14-day free return period, 10 Euros for Vytal Bowls and 4 Euros for Vytal Mugs will automatically be debited from your deposited payment method. You have then purchased the Vytals and can use them privately. However, you can also return purchased containers at any time to our Partners and receive half of the purchase price in the form of Vytal Credits for the return. You can use these credits for pick-up pre-orders via the Vytal App at some of our Partners or for the extension of return periods.

What are Vytal Credits and what can I use them for?

One Vytal Credit has the value of one Euro. Your Vytal Credit balance is displayed in your profile in the app. You will receive five or two Vytal Credits when you return a purchased bowl or cup to one of our Partners stores. If you link an offline card to the app, you will be credited with ten Vytal Credits. The credits can be redeemed for pick-up pre-order of food at our Partners via the Vytal app or to extend return deadlines.

How can I delete my account?

If you go to "Profile" in the app (the icon at the bottom right) and then to "My Profile", there is an item called "Delete Account". Please note that a deletion cannot be undone.

How can I make my favourite restaurant aware of you?

You can suggest your favourite restaurants via this link and at the same time download a "love letter" that you can pass on to the restaurant: https://en.vytal.org/vytal-fuer-konsumenten

Are the containers dishwasher and microwave safe?

Our Vytals are all dishwasher safe, they can be washed in any standard household dishwasher and also in industrial dishwashers at very high temperatures. In addition, all Vytals are suitable for heating in the microwave, whereas the lid must NOT be placed in the microwave, as pressure can build up underneath due to heating.

How is it ensured that the containers are hygienically cleaned before dispensing?

Our Partners are contractually obliged to machine wash all vytals before serving so that they are hygienically clean. The same rules apply as when washing the dishes for consumption in the restaurant.

How are the vytals disposed of and dismantled?

When you can no longer use a Vytal reusable container, we take it back to recycle it in a controlled way. To do this, our containers are crushed and melted down to form other products. In this way, our system remains circular and we completely avoid the creation of waste. Due to current legislation, new food containers cannot yet be made from them. We are in discussion with processing companies and will close the loop as soon as the legal situation changes.

How often can the containers be used?

A Vytal container can be reused up to 200 times if used properly. The most important factor is not rinsing, but how the customer treats the container. We therefore ask our customers not to cut into the containers with a knife in order to ensure the longest possible usability and thus a lot of saved disposable packaging waste. From ten fillings, they are more environmentally friendly than disposable packaging and save up to 30 kg of CO2 over the life cycle compared to disposable packaging made of Styrofoam or aluminum.

Can I also order via the Vytal app?

At many of our Partners you can pre-order and pay via the app, so that you can pick up your food at the desired time without waiting on site or have it conveniently delivered to your home. Not all Vytal-Partners offer this service via our app. Partners that accept pre-orders are marked in the app with "Pickup" and "Delivery". You can also order in our reusable packages through delivery services. For this, you will be redirected to these third party providers within the app and just need to copy your delivery token into the comment field.

Can I return the containers to the delivery service?

If the restaurant you ordered from has its own delivery service, you can easily give the containers to the delivery drivers. If you have ordered through a third party delivery service, this is unfortunately not possible, as the drivers do not necessarily drive back to a Vytal partner, where your Vytals can be booked out again.

I would like to make a change to my order - how do I do that?

To make a change to your order via the Vytal app, you can easily cancel it within the cancellation period in the app and place it again. If you have a special request, you can leave a message for the restaurant in the comments field.

What material are the containers made of and where are they produced?

We looked for suitable materials and manufacturers for a long time and then decided on polypropylene, a very high-quality plastic that is particularly easy to recycle. In addition, our bowls are more ecological than stainless steel containers and can be used in the freezer and microwave (without lid).

KoziolBowls (500, 750 and 1250 ml)
Madeof BPA-free polypropylene, lid made of thermoplastic elastomer. Made in Germany.
MepalBowls (500, 750 and 1250 ml - some still in circulation)
Madeof BPA-free polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer lid. Made in Holland.
SplitBowl & Coffee Mug (100, 200, 300 and 400 ml)
Made of BPA-free polypropylene. Made in Czech Republic.
500ml cold beverage mug
Madeof BPA-free polypropylene. Made in Germany.
Burger& Pizza Container
Madeof BPA-free polypropylene. Made in Germany.
Sushicontainer
Madeof stainless steel (75% recycled materials) and Tritan plastic. Made in China.

How do I return a container with a damaged QR code?

Vytals with damaged or missing QR code can be returned to our Partners as usual. However, please send us an email so that we know where you returned the Vytal, and we will manually unbook it. The restaurant then only has to return the Vytal to us so that it gets a new QR code.

What do I do if I break a bowl or cup?

If the bowl or cup is completely broken, then you don't need to do anything else - the money will be automatically collected from the payment method you deposited after the loan period expires. If only the lid or the bottom part is broken, please return the bowl to one of our Partners and then write us an email with a photo of the damaged Vytal and the info where you dropped it off. Then we will refund half of the purchase amount.

How do the Vytals get their names?

In the beginning, we came up with the names ourselves or used well-known personalities and movie heroes or place names. In the meantime, however, we need so many names that we use a database with international first names.

What do I do if a bowl leaks?

Please report leaking bowls directly to our Partners. They can then sort out the bowls and send them back to us.

What requirements does my phone need for me to install the app?

Our customer app requires at least iOS 12.4 or Android 6.0, but preferably always the latest versions.

Does the Vytal Partner App need to be integrated into a running system?

No, the Vytal Partner App is a stand-alone system that you can easily download from the Google Play Store / Apple Store. All you need is a cell phone or tablet with Internet access and your personal access data, which you will receive from us after signing the contract.

Can customers scan their vytals on their own as they are issued?

Customers can independently scan the QR code of the Vytals in the app and must show the confirmation at the checkout. The control is important to exclude cases of fraud.

How much space do the vytals need in the store and what is the best way to store them?

Here you will find an overview with the weight and size of our different reusable containers. Our bowls can be stacked neatly on top of each other with lids or without lids to save space.

What is the best way to rinse the vytals?

The Vytal reusable bowls and their lids can be cleaned very well in gastro and industrial dishwashers. For optimal cleaning results, it is important to place the bowls with the opening facing down. The lids are best either laid flat with the closure facing down and weighted down, or rinsed on end, as with plates, for example. If you don't have any rinsing facilities on site, we can offer you a rinsing service for a fee on request.

Where, how and why do vytals need to be scanned?

Each Vytal reusable container is marked with a QR code and can therefore be clearly assigned. This allows us to guarantee a cashless reusable packaging system between the participating system partners and the customers. Issue and return numbers, return deadlines and container cycles are thus digitally stored and verifiable. Each time a container is issued, it is scanned together with the user's individual QR code to link the customer and container in our system. Meanwhile, customers can also scan the Vytals themselves using the self-scan function. When the container is returned, only the container is scanned to record that it has been properly returned. In the customer app, you can always see transparently which container you have already borrowed and for how long, and how much packaging you have already saved.

How heavy are the containers? What is the tare I have to set on the scales?

Here you will find an overview with the weight and size of our different reusable containers. How you set the tare depends on the scale you use.

What container varieties do you have on offer?

You can find an overview of our product range here: https://www.vytal.org/vytal-unsere-behalter-flotte

Why can't I add my logo to lids and containers?

We explicitly advocate an open reusable packaging system for all. A circular system is most convenient for customers and allows anyone to get and return Vytal reusable containers anywhere - hence no logos. However, for large companies or closed systems, such as canteens, we offer a white label solution.

How do I take back containers with damaged or missing QR code?

Vytals with damaged or missing QR code can be returned normally. However, please write us an email and tell us the name of the bowl. If this is no longer visible because the complete sticker is missing, the customer should contact us directly. The bowl can be returned to us at a pickup, then it will be given a new QR code.

How do I get new containers and how can I return excess to you?

You can reorder Vytals in the app via "Statistics" and "Order container", but of course you can also contact our partner service via hotline, mail or Whatsapp. To order a pickup is currently only possible via the partner service. Please indicate the quantity for Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Munich, so that we know how much space our drivers have to plan for. All other pickups are done via dpd - for this we would need the number of shipping boxes you pack the Vytals in and the preferred pickup day. Please note that for the sake of the environment, we will only have packages with a minimum content of 10 Vytals collected. There is a three business day turnaround time for both pickups and returns.

How do I change my opening hours or store other important information?

Log in with the access data for the partner app via our web login: https://partner.vytal.org/Account/Login - there you can change opening hours and other important information. Please also indicate here if your store is closed for a longer period of time.

How can I check my own shell stock?

In the Partner App under "Statistics" you can see how many Vytals are currently in your inventory. If this number differs from the actual stock, we offer a digital inventory function. For this, all containers must be scanned once on site and the deviations are shown. For a detailed description of the inventory, please contact your contact person or our partner service.

What happens after I register with Vytal?

After you have expressed interest and signed the contract, our onboarding process starts. Here you will receive your initial equipment of containers and a training as well as training and advertising material. A follow-up training is also possible at any time and in case of questions or problems you can contact our partner service.

Do you offer any other services besides bins?

For some time now, we have also been offering serving and return vending machines. For the dispensers, we only provide the containers and not the food. The take-back machines or boxes are particularly suitable for canteens or offices to simplify the return process. These can then be emptied once a day and scanned all at once.

What do I use to scan the containers?

A cell phone with our partner app is required for scanning the Vytals. A private device (tablets are also possible) can be used for this or a device can be provided by us for a fee. A connection to various cash register systems (Kamasys, Ventopay) is also possible.

What do I do if a bowl leaks?

Leaky bowls can be returned to us with a note (Post-It or other), as you cannot always tell that bowls are leaking. We will then either assign new lids/bottoms to them or recycle them.

What requirements does my phone need for me to install the app?

Our Partners app requires at least iOS 12.4 or Android 6.0, but preferably always the latest versions.

Frequently asked questions

General questions

Questions for restaurants

Questions for communal catering

Mandatory Reuse

Sustainable container stock

Do you have any further questions? We'll answer them gladly!

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Frequently asked questions

General questions

How does the Vytal app work?

What does the Vytal system cost?

Why do I have to enter a means of payment?

How can I borrow Vytals?

Is it possible to buy your containers?

Where can I return my borrowed container ?

Does the container have to be rinsed before being returned?

Can I use Vytal without the app?

Can I use Vytal through delivery services?

How long is the free loan period and can I extend it?

How do I know when to return the containers?

I missed my return deadline - can I still return the container?

What are Vytal Credits and what can I use them for?

How can I delete my account?

How can I make my favourite restaurant aware of you?

Are the containers dishwasher and microwave safe?

How is it ensured that the containers are hygienically cleaned before dispensing?

How are the vytals disposed of and dismantled?

How often can the containers be used?

Can I also order via the Vytal app?

Can I return the containers to the delivery service?

I would like to make a change to my order - how do I do that?

What material are the containers made of and where are they produced?

How do I return a container with a damaged QR code?

What do I do if I break a bowl or cup?

How do the Vytals get their names?

What do I do if a bowl leaks?

What requirements does my phone need for me to install the app?

Questions for restaurants

Does the Vytal Partner App need to be integrated into a running system?

Can customers scan their vytals on their own as they are issued?

How much space do the vytals need in the store and what is the best way to store them?

What is the best way to rinse the vytals?

Where, how and why do vytals need to be scanned?

How heavy are the containers? What is the tare I have to set on the scales?

What container varieties do you have on offer?

Why can't I add my logo to lids and containers?

How do I take back containers with damaged or missing QR code?

How do I get new containers and how can I return excess to you?

How do I change my opening hours or store other important information?

How can I check my own shell stock?

What happens after I register with Vytal?

Do you offer any other services besides bins?

What do I use to scan the containers?

What do I do if a bowl leaks?

What requirements does my phone need for me to install the app?

Questions for communal catering

Can I limit the use to employees of my company?

Can Vytals be returned outside business hours?

Can I integrate the Vytal system with my POS system?

Can we use our own containers and run them through the Vytal system?

Mandatory Reuse

What is the reusable duty?

How much do reusable alternatives cost?

To whom does the reusable obligation apply?

You have less than five employees and your restaurant is smaller than 80 square meters?

Do you have more than five employees or is your restaurant larger than 80 square meters?

What options do I have if I need to offer a reusable alternative?

How does it work with hygiene

What are the consequences of non-compliance with the reusable obligation?

Sustainable container stock

What is the sustainable container stock and why was it introduced?

How is my sustainable container inventory calculated?

What happens if I exceed my sustainable container count?

What is the fee for excess vytals?

What if the sustainable container stock is not enough for me?

How do I find out what my sustainable container inventory is and how many Vytals I should return?

How can I return my Vytals?

By when should I return the containers?

What if my inventory is not right?

I take back more containers than I give out. Do I have to pay to be a "return station"?

Do you have any further questions? We'll answer them gladly!

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