36 million returned deposit bottles and cans in the first quarter - this is the result three months after the introduction of the one-way deposit system for plastic beverage bottles and metal cans in Austria. Since April, only drinks packaging with the Austrian deposit symbol may be filled.
Three months ago, the one-way deposit on plastic drinks bottles and metal cans was launched in Austria. Recycling Pfand Österreich is now taking positive stock: so far around 255 million returnable containers in circulation and 36 million successfully returned. The aim is to return 2.2 billion bottles and cans to the cycle every year and achieve a return rate of 80 per cent in the first year, which is to be increased to 90 per cent by 2027.
Four to eight weeks from purchase to return of the deposit containers
The difference between containers that are put into circulation and those that are returned is not unusual: there are several steps from the initial placing on the market to the return of the cans and bottles.
„As not every bottle or can is consumed immediately, not all containers are returned immediately after purchase. We expect it to take an average of around four to eight weeks for consumers to return their empty single-use deposit packaging.“
Monika Fiala, Management Recycling Pfand Austria
Almost 13,000 return points are available throughout Austria, including more than 6,000 return points, for example in supermarket branches. With a of the highest supermarket densities in Europe, Austria also has one of the highest densities of reverse vending machines.
Since April only with deposit logo
Another milestone was reached on 1 April as part of the introduction of the one-way deposit. At the end of March, production stopped for drinks without a deposit logo - since then Only containers with the Austrian deposit symbol are filled be sold. Products filled before 1 April without a deposit logo may still be sold until the end of the year.
„The labelling of single-use deposit products is precisely regulated: They can be recognised by the Austrian deposit logo above the barcode. The deposit is a standardised 25 cents for all single-use deposit packaging. Our primary goal is to provide comprehensive information and to educate people about the one-way deposit.“
Simon Parth, Recycling deposit Austria
A recent survey conducted by Marketagent on behalf of Recycling Pfand Österreich confirms that this is working well: 75 per cent of the population state that they are already well informed about the deposit system. Almost 85 per cent know how to recognise deposit containers - by the Austrian deposit logo. And 87 per cent know that they have to return the packaging uncrushed. In addition, around 80 per cent of Austrians are in favour of the new single-use deposit system.
Source: Recycling deposit Austria
