Disposable or reusable? The big pledge in Austria and Germany!

Disposable or reusable? The big pledge in Austria and Germany!

On January 1, 2025, a new deposit system for PET bottles and aluminum boxes will come into force in Austria. Each purchase of these disposable packaging, a deposit of 25 cents is due, provided that the new Pfandlogo is emblazoned on the products. But at least at the beginning of the new year, customers will encounter difficulties, since many beverage manufacturers will still be without the new logo. This means that the consumers have to expect a certain confusion about the return of disposable packaging by the end of March 2025, as the "crown" reported. The challenge is that most products are only changed when the deadline has expired.

The deposit system will be mandatory on April 1, 2025, so that from this date only drinks with Pfandlogo may be available in stores. This change is particularly important because the German Environmental Aid (DUH) has been complaining about a decline in the reusable rate for years, which is now below 50 percent. Discounters such as Aldi and Lidl are accused of promoting the trend towards disposable plastic bottles through their discount prices. Experts criticize that the lien, which was originally intended to strengthen the reusable system, has hardly shown any effect. The reusable rate has been falling continuously since 2006, especially in the area of mineral water, where the proportion has now fallen to less than 40 percent.

confusion by one way and reusable

A major challenge also remains the distinction between one-way and reusable bottles for consumers. Many are not sure what actually counts as a reusable. The Federal Association of the German Beverage Castry Current stated that around half of the customers cannot distinguish between the various packaging. In order to counteract the confusion, environmental associations require a clearer labeling on the bottles themselves, so that consumers immediately recognize which packaging systems they acquire. In addition, the importance of recycling is becoming increasingly urgent, since most PET intake bottles can be recycled inadequately after use.

In addition, the new packaging law, which has been in force since January 2019, will also expand the pledge on fruit and vegetable nectars as well as to drinks with high milk content. The legally defined goal is a reusable rate of 70 percent, although in practice there are often no consequences in the event of unreasonable, as reported. Environmental associations are pushing for additional financial incentives to move more consumers to use reusable bottles.