In the fight against mountains of rubbish and for a higher recycling rate for plastic and aluminum, a deposit system will be introduced in Austria from 2025. This has been clear since the Waste Management Act was amended around a year ago. Details have been available since yesterday, Thursday. They were presented in Vienna by Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and representatives of the trade and beverage bottlers.
A deposit of 25 cents is charged for each plastic bottle or aluminum can. All containers from 0.1 to three liters are recorded. The only exceptions are milk and mixed milk drinks. If the buyer brings the container back, he gets the 25 cents back.
In principle, the pledged goods can be returned to any shop that also offers the corresponding products. There are exceptions for small companies (kiosks, bakers): They only have to take back the packaging that they sell or they are only obliged to take back quantities that are customary for sale.
In addition, there should also be return options at train stations and other heavily frequented places. The waste collection centers are also integrated into the deposit system.
80 million euros in funding
Retailers still have a little more than two years to complete the conversion work and to purchase the machines or to convert the reusable machines. A subsidy of 80 million euros from the EU’s reconstruction fund is planned for purchase and conversion. The smaller the retailer, the higher the promotion.
The type of return machine (only one-way or returnable) also plays a role. Small retailers are also not obliged to set up a vending machine: manual return is also an option. For each container collected, the dealers also receive a sum (“handling fee”) to compensate for the effort: the amount is still unclear and is the subject of negotiations in the one-way deposit sponsoring association, according to the ministry.
Gewessler described the deposit as a measure “that will make our country more beautiful and worth living in”. Board member Robert Nagele also emphasized the contribution to plastic reduction. However, he also advocated further talks regarding subsidies for the expensive conversion work.
The introduction was preceded by years of discussion. There was also pressure from the EU: by 2029, at least 90 percent of plastic beverage bottles must be collected separately and recycled.
Source: Nachrichten
