The city of Kaiserslautern will use an online survey to get feedback from local business owners as it weighs whether to start taxing disposable food packaging, utensils and the like. (Pixabay)

A tax on disposable food packaging, containers and utensils is under consideration in Kaiserslautern, but the city wants to hear from local business owners first.

Feedback will be solicited through an upcoming survey to be posted on the official online platform for public participation, according to a Monday statement from the city.

Coffee cups, french fry holders, straws and plastic tableware are among the items mentioned in the proposal for the tax, although no amounts are given in the statement. City officials said the intent of the tax would be to curb pollution and promote recycling.

The idea is not new. In 2022, the Baden-Württemberg city of Tübingen implemented a similar tax of 50 euro cents on disposable food and beverage containers and 20 euro cents on disposable cutlery and straws.

McDonald’s filed a court challenge within weeks of implementation, but the tax was upheld by Germany’s highest constitutional court in a decision last month.