Disposable Deposit: Relief for Small Businesses in Returns

Recycling Deposit Austria now points out that companies at heavily frequented locations can cooperate and designate an alternative, nearby return point, such as a supermarket.

One-Way Deposit: Small Businesses Can Partner with Supermarkets

For example, at a sausage or kebab stand or in a tobacconist's shop, it must be indicated that there is a contract with another returnee and where this is located. "It only applies to frequented places where two or more returnees can join together. And then the opening hours of the alternative return point apply," explained Monika Fiala from Recycling Deposit Austria to ORF Radio on Tuesday.

If a customer wants to return a beverage bottle or can at a snack stand late at night, the operator can refuse, "if he takes advantage of this frequented place regulation and meets the requirements. Then the opening hours of the return point apply. If this is, for example, in the food trade to which one refers, then of course the opening hours of the food trade's business apply to the return. And the sausage stand, for example, is then exempt from the return," emphasized Fiala.

REWE Provides Contracts for Returns in Branches

"Airports, train stations, shopping streets or centres" are mentioned in the regulation on the one-way deposit as heavily frequented places. The return point must be within a radius of 300 metres. "Any deposit vouchers issued at this return point must be able to be redeemed in the immediate vicinity," the legal text states. The supermarket group REWE offers, according to ORF, to take back single-use containers instead of snack stands or tobacconists and provides corresponding - free - contracts for small businesses in all Billa and Penny branches. Information posters are also offered, showing the address of the nearby supermarket.

(APA/Red)

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