FPÖ launches petition: Is the new bottle deposit really fair?

FPÖ launches petition: Is the new bottle deposit really fair?

In Austria, the new deposit system for PET bottles and cans, which has been in force since the beginning of 2023, continues to cause controversial discussions. The FPÖ has started a petition to reject this system and instead advocate for fair consumption. FPÖ MPs are calling for the abolition of the regulation, which was introduced under former Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler. Thomas Spalt, environmental spokesman for the FPÖ, describes the system as coercion and calls for fair alternatives for consumers. Michael Fürtbauer, FPÖ spokesman for SMEs, announced that he would collect signatures for the petition, which is now available at www. Kolbenpfand-stoppen.at is available.

The FPÖ has significant concerns about the practicality of the deposit system. Critics argue that it overburdens families and pensioners in particular, while large corporations benefit. Spalt criticizes the fact that Vienna is not meeting the collection quota, which is putting a strain on Austria's overall balance. There is also criticism that the deposit company EWP Recycling Pfand Österreich gGmbH is not subject to an audit court, which ensures a lack of transparency. As part of the new system, around two million PET deposit bottles and cans will be returned every day. The EWP draws a positive conclusion after the first six months.

Criticism and challenges of the new system

The FPÖ's main points of criticism also include the additional bureaucracy and cost burden that the deposit system brings with it for consumers and retailers. Spalt describes the entire project as an “overpriced nonsense” and warns of the danger of social problems that could come with the new system, such as rummaging through garbage in search of deposit bottles. According to Fürtbauer, the introduction of the new system was carried out against the will of many citizens in order to improve the collection rate in Vienna, while rural regions that had already met EU requirements were placed under additional burden.

According to reports, a “deposit slip” of 550 million bottles is expected, giving the EWP a contribution margin of 130 million euros. In the first quarter of 2025, 255 million containers were put into circulation, of which only 36 million were returned. This discrepancy leads to sales losses of 45 million euros and increasing disposal fees for plastic and metal.

Political framework conditions and EU requirements

Environmental organizations and retailers support the deposit system, while the FPÖ sees it as a bureaucratic burden. In this controversial debate, the political differences become clear: The Greens defend the system as an important tool in the fight against environmental pollution. The Ministry of the Environment emphasizes that the deposit system was introduced to meet EU requirements, such as a collection rate of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2029. Before the introduction, the recycling rate for PET bottles in Austria was around 76%.

The FPÖ plans to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures to abolish the deposit system, but a change seems unlikely due to the current majority in parliament. This petition leads to a broader public debate about return rates and environmental policy concepts, which is mobilizing more and more people.