With over 26,000 votes: FPÖ demands stop the controversial deposit system!

With over 26,000 votes: FPÖ demands stop the controversial deposit system!

Österreich - In Austria, the resistance is accumulated by the pledge system planned from January 1, 2025. Michael Schledlitz, General Secretary of the FPÖ, reports of over 26,000 signatures that can be found within two and a half days for the petition "Stop bottle deposit!" were collected. This initiative is understood as a clear protest against a system that could impose new loads on small traders and families, while large corporations would have an advantage. Schledlitz expresses significant criticism of the bureaucracy and susceptibility to repair of the system, which in his opinion is introduced under the guise of environmental protection. "Empty machines, lost bons and incorrect returns" are only a few of the feared problems that could come to the population, he explains.

In addition, Schledlitz calls for the deletion of the deposit system because it warns of new financial burdens for consumers. The FPÖ politician refers to the successes of previous FPÖ initiatives, including a veto against the WHO pandemic contract, and calls on the population to support the petition. "Every entry counts," he emphasizes to promote alternative recycling solutions that may be more practical.

The background of the new deposit system

Starting in the new year, a comprehensive reform for waste separation will apply in Austria. This includes a disposable deposit of 25 cents on plastic bottles and beverage cans up to a volume of three liters. This is in the context of an ambitious goal: a recycling rate of 90 percent for plastic bottles is to be achieved by 2029, with Austria already being around 70 percent in 2022. In comparison, Germany comes to a recycling rate of 98 percent and the Netherlands to 95 percent.

By mid -March 2025, over 12 million of the 100 million deposit containers have already been returned, and the return figures double almost weekly. Nevertheless, Recycline expert Christian Abl expresses concerns and sees the current pledge system a "missed opportunity for innovation". OJ, which was involved in the preparation phase of the deposit system, suggests establishing a digital deposit system in which bottles could be provided with QR codes and the repayment via smartphones could be made. This could increase efficiency and reduce the costs for operators.

criticism of the monopoly and the financial effects

ABL also criticizes the monopoly of the EWP Recycling Pfand Austria Association and fears that such a system could bring higher costs for consumers. Recycling Pfand Austria, however, emphasizes that the efficiency and financing of the system are regulated in the deposit regulation. The technical requirements for a digital deposit system are currently not yet met. A collection rate of 80 percent is also to be achieved by the end of 2025.

The argument about the new pledge system already clearly shows the split opinion among the population and among experts. While the recycling rate is to be increased, the question remains how the balance between consumer protection and environmental protection can be found. The FPÖ and their supporters are calling for a rethink to maintain the interests of families and small companies.