Sweden's Deposit Return System (DRS) reached a new milestone in 2025: for the first time, more than three billion PET bottles and aluminium cans were returned, 130 million more than in the previous year.
This corresponds to an increase of four percent compared to 2024, with each person in Sweden returning an average of 283 containers. The return rate rose to 88.4 percent, thus approaching the national target of 90 percent, according to the latest data from Returpack/Pantamera, the operator of the system.
Closed material cycles
The Swedish system distinguishes itself from conventional recycling methods by keeping bottles and cans in a dedicated, high-quality stream. In 2025, 27,826 tonnes of aluminium and 24,835 tonnes of PET were delivered to material buyers. Sara Bergendorff, Head of Sustainability and Quality at Returpack/Pantamera, explains that returning PET bottles and aluminium cans via the deposit system halves the CO2 footprint compared to general packaging recycling. The materials remain in closed recycling loops, preserving their quality and reducing the need for new raw materials.
Simple Returns as a Success Factor
A key success factor of the Swedish DRS is its integration into people's daily lives. For most Swedes, container returns happen during a regular supermarket shop, ensuring accessibility and thus high return rates. This year's data also highlights the growing importance of high-capacity reverse vending machines (RVMs) where entire bags of containers can be emptied at once. These machines make up 14 percent of all RVMs, yet account for 45 percent of the total volume. In areas where retailers install them, return volumes steadily increase.
Pioneering the circular economy
Sweden was the first country in the world to introduce a Deposit Return System in 1984. Since then, more than 55 billion bottles and cans have been collected. This long-standing experience offers valuable insights into the crucial factors for high collection rates, circular material flows, and long-term sustainability. As Deposit Return Systems are introduced and expanded across Europe, Sweden's model serves as a blueprint for other countries.
Source: Returpack/Pantamera
