Container deposit legislation

As a one-way deposit, Switzerland bottle depot, refers to a deposit on disposable packaging such as beverage cans, disposable glass bottles and disposable PET bottles. There are various deposit schemes in the countries that have adopted it without international uniformity.

• 2.1 Denmark
• 2.2 Estonia
• 2.3 Finland
• 2.4 Croatia
• 2.5 The Netherlands
• 2.6 Norway
• 2.7 Sweden
• 2.8 Switzerland

Germany

The deposit requirement applies in Germany since 1 January 2003 for disposable packaging of beverages. Even if the system is referred to in Germany partly colloquially as Dosenpfand, is the correct term one-way deposit.

By 30 April 2006, there were there various deposit schemes, which meant that the respective packaging could be submitted only in certain stores. Since 1 May 2006, all businesses need to sell the beverage in mortgage duty disposable packaging, and take back the disposable packaging of each material type. There are exceptions for shops with less than 200 m2 of retail space.

The development to date

The basis for the introduction of the deposit on non-refillable beverage packaging, the packaging ordinance, which was adopted by the federal government under the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Klaus Töpfer ( CDU) in 1991. The regulation was in 1998 by the then Federal Government (Cabinet Kohl V ) - Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety was then Angela Merkel ( CDU) - confirmed and amended.

After nationwide proportion of reusable drinks packaging had fallen below 72% since 1997, Jürgen Trittin (Green Party) - Minister of the Environment from 1998 to 2005 - the one-way deposit on January 1, 2003. Affected all drinks sectors in which the share of returnable bottles was lower than the proportion in 1991. These were beer ( including beer mixed drinks ), mineral water ( still and sparkling ) and carbonated soft drinks. Exempt from the mandatory deposit were packaging for milk, wine, champagne, spirits and carbonated soft drinks. This led to the situation that for beer mixes the pledge was introduced for other mixed drinks like vodka / lemon or whiskey / cola but not because these are among the spirits.

Retail and beverage industry tried to last with actions before the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig and the German Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, Germany, to prevent the introduction of the deposit. The lawsuits were unsuccessful.

Since trade was set up last on such prevention of the pledge in the legal way, most companies were not prepared for the collection of the pledge on January 1, 2003. Therefore, a nine-month transitional period was granted, while the had to accept only those packages, the transactions that they themselves had sold. This was realized by way packaging only against presentation of the sales receipt or token were withdrawn. Since 1 October 2003, the business had to also take back packaging that they had not sold itself. Instead of a politically unified required deposit system but in fact different parallel deposit schemes were introduced by trade. This development was foreseen in the Regulation for the so-called island solutions.

Since the full entry into force of the ' third regulation amending the Ordinance ' on 1 May 2006, these various deposit schemes are abolished, and all the shops with more than 200 m2 of retail space must also take back all beverage containers of the types of materials they sell. It can thus all empty returnable bottles and cans to be returned wherever way of the same material is sold. A distinction is made by plastic, glass or metal.

The implementation of the new regulation, the deposit requirement was extended to carbonated soft drinks and non-alcoholic mixed drinks ( especially so-called alcopops ). Pfandfrei remain fruit and vegetable juices, milk and wine, diet drinks within the meaning of dietary regulation ( the so-called "light" drinks do not belong to this group ) and ecologically advantageous one-way drinks packaging ( carton packaging of polyethylene bags and foil stand up pouch, regardless of the content ).

About the effect of the disposable pledge will be discussed again since 2006 after the association " Business Association Non-alcoholic beverages " figures presented, which indicate a sharp drop in for reusable soft drinks, by the Federation leads back inter alia to the effect of the mandatory deposit. Speaking against the Federal Association of the German beverage wholesale trade of record proportions returnable beer. The federal government said in a response to a question by the Left faction, that there was no reliable figures beyond 2004. According to statistics from the Federal Environment Ministry proportion of reusable drinks packaging all has fallen (without milk) between 1998 and 2004 from 70.13 % to 60.33 %. With the exception of beer (in this case the proportion of reusable rose ), this development all kinds of beverages, deposit-free as well as subject to a deposit.

According to surveys by the Society for Consumer Research ( GfK), the reuse rate of non-alcoholic beverages has declined by 2008 to 31%. It has therefore approximately halved since the introduction of deposit. In beer, however, it stood at 90%. The reasons for the decline in cost advantages in trade and the demand side, lower consumer prices and availability of beverages in disposable packaging, easier handling and poor differentiation of disposable and reusable can be given. According to a TNS Emnid survey believes about half of all consumers that deposit bottle is equivalent environmentally friendly reusable bottle.

In May 2010, the Federal Environment Agency presented a study that the Augsburg Environment Institute bifa had created on their behalf and which analyzes the impact of the mandatory deposit. Because of the frequent but erroneous equating of deposit and the reusable bifa recommended, among other things, the clearly visible as " disposable packaging " to mark with 0.25 € returnable beverage containers.

The consultancy CIS OHG, comes after the evaluation of data from the market research company ACNielsen, to the conclusion that the percentage will slowly but steadily declining beer, whereas disposable packaging, especially beverage cans in clearly would gain ground. For this purpose, data from 2009 to 2012 were compared.

Development from 2009 to 2012:

• Returnable glass: - 2,283,784 hectoliters (-4.1 %)
• Disposable glass: 3.243 hl ( 0.9 %)
• Disposable PET: 650 874 hl ( 13.1 %)
• Beverage cans (<1 l): 855 507 hl ( 63.8 %)

Deposit systems - 1 January 2003 to April 30, 2006

The " receipt system"

As trade and industry had set up last to a legal or political preventing the mandatory deposit, no timely preparations were made for the introduction of the pledge on January 1, 2003. To the mortgage to still be able to introduce as planned, a nine-month transitional period was granted, during the packaging had to accept only those shops which they themselves had sold. This was realized by way packaging were withdrawn only against the original sales receipt, an additional deposit slips or a token again. Only a few large discount stores led to the simplification of processes in its stores already then packaging specially marked one that could be returned without additional vouchers or brands in all branches of the respective company.

Because of this uncomfortable for customer solution many cans and PET bottles were thrown in the trash. This 2003 450 million euros were not redeemed according to an estimate by the Federal Ministry of Economics and October. This so-called deposit slip remained less 16 % tax in retail.

P system and Vfw / Saving System

On 13 June 2003, a first agreement of parts of the industry with the Federal Ministry of Environment was announced to build a uniform national deposit system. On October 1, it should be possible, the one-way deposit at any retailer, who participated in the so-called P system to redeem. In this system, cans and disposable bottles were marked with a "P". In addition, an electronically recognizable bar code was printed. The P- system was operated from the convenience wholesaler Lekkerland, which supplies around 70,000 small outlets such as petrol stations and kiosks.

In addition to this system was introduced as competitors the Vfw / saving system that was operated by the Vfw AG and which the Spar Group and some local retailers participating. In this system, to redeem the pledge to an outputted when buying mortgage coupon was still needed. This coupon was but - unlike in the past - nationwide uniform and was accepted at all participating outlets. In mid-April 2004, Vfw AG participated in the P- system Lekkerland and led after a transitional period, the P system in the connected shops a. According to the company, the merged P system from covered about 10 % of the market.

Stand-alone solutions

Apart from these two back systems, there was the so-called island solutions of large trading companies such as Aldi, Lidl, Plus, Rewe and Metro AG. This covered the remaining 90 % of the sold mortgage duty packaging. The background of these rules was the fact that the Packaging Ordinance until 30 April 2006 acknowledged the possibility to limit the withdrawal to those packages which packages were similar in type, shape and size that were performed in the business.

By bringing in a business only packages were sold, which differed in type, shape or size of the packaging of other businesses, had to be withdrawn in this business only these packages. An individual bottle design and labels with a logo the company could ensure that only the packages purchased from them had to be withdrawn.

This island solutions are obsolete since 1 May 2006 by the new deposit scheme. Even bottles that were acquired at the time of isolated solutions, can now be delivered wherever the particular material is performed, not only in shops of the respective group. The same applies to the isolated solutions of various beverage companies such as Red Bull and the French mineral water bottlers.

Deposit system since 1 May 2006

Since 29 May 2005, the deposit shall be uniformly € 0.25 on one-way beverage packaging from 0.1 to 3 liters and applies indefinitely. This three-liter limit leads to unusual reactions of some manufacturers who consider to circumvent by amounts just over the border of the law. Since May 1, 2006, all containers for beer, beer drinks, mineral and table waters are ( still and sparkling ), soft drinks (with or without gas) including iced tea and alcopops in cans and disposable bottles (plastic and glass) subject to a deposit. Exempt from the mandatory deposit are juices, wine, spirits, milk and basically also drinks in so-called " environmentally advantageous " disposable packaging ( cartons, polyethylene foil bag, foil stand up pouch ) and certain dietary beverages under the dietary regulation if these or exclusively for babies Infants are offered.

Who sells 2006 beverages in returnable disposable packaging since May 1, such containers must also take back since then for a deposit return - regardless of whether they were sold in own business or not. However, the take-back obligation is limited to the each displaced material; this means for example that plastic bottles ( PET bottles) only needs to take back, which these also sold; however, who only sells cans and glass bottles must take back even cans and glass bottles, but not PET bottles. Damaged packages in which the original charge a deposit can be seen, must be redeemed against payment of the deposit. The same goes for old packages from the island solutions.

There are exceptions for kiosks and small stores with a sales area of less than 200 m2. You can limit the take-back obligation on packaging of the brand, they bring in traffic. If you only have beers certain producers in range, needs packaging other non take back. Thus, the small merchants should be protected from high costs.

The organization of the so-called " DPG " system is the German deposit system GmbH.

As usual in most countries with uniform mandatory deposit for years, the withdrawal of the disposable empties at major retailers is handled primarily through reverse vending machines in Germany.

The introduction of the new uniform deposit system was largely driven by a judgment of the European Court. The Packaging Ordinance until the summer of 2005 in force in Germany violated by the judgment in its former form of EU law, since the absence of a transitional period as a disproportionate interference with the free movement of goods at the expense of bottlers from other EU Member States was considered. Therefore, the Ordinance has been adapted to the EU requirements in winter 2004/2005.

Deposit slip

Main article: deposit slip

It is estimated that by the beginning of 2006, approximately 10% were not returned to 25 % of all mortgage duty disposable packaging in the trade. Experts estimate that by the simplification of the recovery system still about 5 % lost. On the other hand, there are more and more bottles collectors who collect returnable bottles.

Europe

In most European countries the one-way deposit is unknown. In contrast, exist in the Scandinavian countries for some time regulations.

Denmark

In Denmark, the sale of beverage cans in 1982 was banned until 2002. After years of wrangling with the European Union, the Danes gave way and left cans again. The following amounts of deposit currently apply in Denmark:

• Beverage cans, PET and glass bottles up under 1l: 1,00 DKK ( Pant A)
• Exception: PET bottles of 0.5 liters: 1.50 DKK ( Pant B)
• Beverage cans, PET and glass bottles from 1l: 3,00 DKK ( Pant C)

Estonia

In Estonia, there is a consistent return system for one-way and refillable beverage containers. Deposit limits are:

• Cans: 0,08 €
• PET bottles up to 0.5 l: 0,04 €
• Larger PET bottles: 0,08 €
• All glass bottles, drinks from 0 to 8 % by volume include: 0,08 €

Finland

Finland also has a national collection system named Palpa. There is the mandatory deposit for one-way packaging since 1 January 2008, following deposit amounts are fixed. :

• € 0.10 to € refillable glass bottles for alcoholic beverages ( 0.3 l to 0.75 l), on recyclable glass bottles ( 0.15 l to 2.0 l), as well as PET bottles with a capacity not exceeding 0.35 liter
• € 0.15 to € beverage cans
• € 0.20 for refillable plastic bottles with 0.5 l capacity and PET bottles with capacity of between 0.35 l and 1.0 l
• € 0.40 on glass bottles with 1.0 l capacity, refillable plastic bottles with 1.0 l or 1.5 l capacity and PET bottles with capacity above 1.0 l

Here are issued bottles of alcohol and Lidl, which are redeemed only by these chains.

Croatia

In Croatia, a mandatory deposit of 0.50 kuna for one-way drinks packaging with more than 0.2 liters was introduced on 1 January 2006.

The one-way deposit (usually plastic bottles and cans ) may in all stores that sell disposable deposit packaging, be redeemed again. When returnable deposit ( boxes with glass bottles) this only in stores (stores) are again taken and refunded the deposit, in which the bottles were purchased and the deposit has been paid. For this purpose, the receipt the cashier has to be presented accordingly. Without the receipt returnable deposit is not refunded. A return empty to full is easily possible, but no payment of the mortgage money.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, was waived after a thorough discussion on a mandatory deposit for PET bottles and cans in June 2006. With the original plans of littering the landscape should ( " zwerfafval ", " littering " ) are opposed. After previous unsuccessful Commitments Ministry of the Environment ( VROM), the Association of Cities (VNG ) and the Employers (VNO -NCW ) have nevertheless agreed a further commitment. After that cities are among other first use for three years, inspectors, punish the illegal disposal of packaging with warning fines. On disposable bottles (PET) and doses is an environmental tax ( verpakkingsbelasting ) collected that is included in the prices in the store. For refillable bottles, however returnable deposit ( statiegeld ) is paid. The prices in the shop are exclusive deposit. In the Netherlands accounts for € 0.25 Statiegeld to almost all drinks bottles from 1 l For many retailers machines are similar to those in Germany. Bottles with 1 l and all doses are deposit-free, except beer bottles made ​​of glass.

Norway

In Norway, was also introduced at the same time with the permission of the deposit aluminum cans in 1999. The change was a problem, because everywhere since the 1970s exist reverse vending machines. In Norway currently following deposit amounts apply:

• Bottles and cans to 0.5 l: 1.00 NOK
• Bottles and cans over 0.5 l: 2.50 NOK

Sweden

Sweden has the oldest deposit system. Here since 1885, there is already a deposit system for the standardized 33 - cl glass bottle. In 1984, a deposit on cans, in the 1990s came a pledge added to other glass and PET non-returnable bottles. Licensee of the recovery system, the company is Returpack. The withdrawal is done mostly through vending machines that compress the returned packaging immediately to save space. The system is financed by the sale of the collected disposable packaging. The return rate reached about 85% and is only slightly below the legally required 90%. However, here the pledge has missed the original goal of strengthening of reusable packaging far: today three times as many doses as returnable bottles are sold. In September 2010, the deposit was increased to beverage cans from 0.50 to 1.00 SEK to increase the response rate.

The lien imposed in Sweden is as follows:

• Cans: 1.00 SEK
• 0.33 l glass bottles: 0.60 SEK
• 0.50 l glass bottles: 0.90 SEK
• PET bottles up to 1l: 1.00 SEK
• PET bottles over 1l: 2.00 SEK

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the delivery and redemption of beverage containers for use in the domestic as well as the financing of the management of beverage glass packaging in the provisions adopted by the Federal Ordinance on Beverage Containers ( VGV ) of 5 July 2000 is regulated. Beverage containers made ​​of glass, PET and aluminum must demonstrate a recycling rate of at least 75 % each. If this is not achieved, the environmental department may require a deposit.

For the widespread separate collection of one-way PET bottles, the club PRS PET Recycling Switzerland, founded in 1990 is responsible. This 97 % of the Swiss beverage producers, importers, bottlers and retailers are connected as a member. Since 2008, the response rate was applied at a rate of over one billion PET bottles or from 45'712 tonnes at 78 %, PET bottles continue to be exempt from a lien. The PET recycling is funded in January 2007 by an advance recycling fee of 0.018 SFr. / Bottle, previously since July 2000 the figure was 0.04 SFr.

USA

In some states of the United States, there are one-way deposit schemes which are known as container deposit legislation. However, a nationwide scheme does not exist. The first law of this kind was the Oregon Bottle Bill, which was introduced in 1972. On the basis of this name can deposit schemes are also commonly referred to as the Bottle Bill. There are such laws in the following states:

• Connecticut (deposit: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 1980
• Delaware (deposit: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 1982
• Hawaii (deposit: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 2005
• Iowa (deposit: U.S. $ 0.05, also on wine bottles), introduced in 1979
• California ( U.S. $ 0.05, U.S. $ 0.10 for bottles 24 fl oz [ 710 ml almost ] ), introduced in 1987, 25 % increase in 2007
• Maine ( Pawn: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 1978
• Massachusetts (deposit: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 1983
• Michigan (deposit: U.S. $ 0.10 ), introduced in 1978
• New York (deposit: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 1982
• Oregon (deposit: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 1972
• Vermont (deposit: 0.05 U.S. $ ), introduced in 1973

Australia

In South Australia a deposit on cans and glass bottles exist. It is included in the sale price of the drink and is 0.10 AUD ( about 0.08 € ). Bottles and cans are in Australia labeled: " 10 cent refund if sold in South Australia ". Since 2011, now has also introduced based on the existing system in South Australia, the Northern Territory a deposit on disposable beverage containers.