Image: HELMUT FOHRINGER (APA)
From January 1, 2025, a deposit of 25 cents will apply to all disposable bottles and cans (from 0.1 to 3 liters), with the exception of milk and milk products. All sales outlets are obliged to take back the containers – around 2.4 billion of them are produced in Austria every year – regardless of whether they are a grocery store or a sausage stand. “Preparations are underway”says Billa board member Robert Nagele, who welcomes the legal certainty that the regulation brings.
The retail industry is spending several million euros to convert branches and set up return machines, and the IT systems also need to be adapted. Of the “biggest change we have ever seen”says Philipp Bodzenta from Coca-Cola Austria. The producers, who will make their own contributions, can then reuse the recycled material.
Wherever consumers buy the containers, they can also be returned. To ensure that small sales outlets are not overwhelmed, special regulations apply to them: sausage stands or buffets only have to take back the types of empties that they sell themselves. For example, if there are no cans on offer, there is no need to take them back. However, if cans are sold, all brands must be accepted. Also in the crowd are the so-called “Small return takers” protected. They don’t have to take back more than they usually sell to a consumer – for example two to three cans.
Bottles must not be crushed
The aim of the deposit system is to achieve a return rate of more than 90 percent. An information campaign will be launched at the end of 2024: Consumers will then be informed, among other things, that they must not crush the bottles before returning them. Because the machines do not recognize crushed empties, says Monika Fiala from EWP Recycling Pfand Austria. The central office coordinates everything related to the introduction of the deposit. Fiala and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) rule out that the goods will generally become more expensive due to the measures introduced for the deposit.
The latter speaks of one “double day of joy”: The deposit system will reduce waste in the landscape. As of today, it is also possible to apply for the repair bonus again; it was suspended and revised over the summer due to cases of fraud. The new system offers a good safety net, said the Environment Minister. From now on, the subsidies will be paid out directly to the customer, and there will also be increased controls.
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