Single-Use Deposit System in Austria: Millions of Packages Already Returned
At the beginning of the year, a deposit return system for single-use plastic bottles and metal cans was introduced in Austria. So far, around 255 million deposit containers have been circulated, and 36 million have been successfully returned. Recycling Pfand Österreich announced this on Wednesday and gave a positive assessment. Since April, after a transition period, only beverage containers with the Austrian deposit symbol are allowed to be filled.
According to Recycling Pfand Österreich, 80 percent of the population supports the new system. The goal is to return 2.2 billion bottles and cans to the cycle each year and to achieve a return rate of 80 percent in the first year. By 2027, the rate should be increased to 90 percent. "The start of the single-use deposit system has been great and is well received by consumers," said the management of Recycling Pfand Österreich, Monika Fiala and Simon Parth.
The fact that the number of containers circulated and returned is still so different does not surprise those responsible. On average, it takes four to eight weeks from the purchase of the products to their return. "Since not every bottle or can is consumed immediately, not all containers are returned immediately after purchase," said Fiala.
Deposit Return System: 13,000 Return Points in Austria
In total, almost 13,000 return points are available to consumers across Austria, including more than 6,000 machines in supermarket branches or similar stores. Since Austria has the highest supermarket density in Europe, it also has the highest density of return machines. The transition aims, among other things, to reduce the careless disposal of bottles and cans in nature.
Transition Period Until April
As part of the introduction of the deposit return system, only beverages with the Austrian deposit symbol are allowed to be filled from April 1. Products already filled without the corresponding logo can still be sold until the end of the year. "The labeling of single-use deposit products is precisely regulated: they can be recognized by the Austrian deposit logo above the barcode. The deposit amount is uniformly 25 cents for all single-use deposit packaging," said Parth.
A recent survey by marketagent on behalf of Recycling Pfand Österreich shows that 75 percent of the population feels well informed about the new system. And 87 percent know that the packaging must be returned uncrushed. Overall, the majority of Austrians support the new system.
Particularly diligent in returning deposit bottles were the Viennese with 8.9 million pieces, followed by the Lower Austrians with 7.6 million and the Upper Austrians with 5.4 million. The Styrians returned five million deposit bottles and cans, the Tyroleans 2.8 million, followed by the Salzburgers with 2.1 million. In Carinthia, 1.8 million pieces were returned, in Burgenland 1.4 million, and in Vorarlberg 1.2 million.
(APA/Red)
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