Pfand chaos in Austria: Avoid expensive mistakes when returning!

Pfand chaos in Austria: Avoid expensive mistakes when returning!

A new deposit system in Austria is currently causing confusion among consumers. Since April 1, 2025, buyers have had to pay a deposit when purchasing disposable packaging for drinks. At the same time, the delivery options and the correct handling when returning are essential to avoid loss of money or even punishments. According to Vol.at there are various frequent mistakes that can lead to problems with the return.

It is important that only packaging with the official Pfandlogo can be returned. Disposable packaging that was filled before the cut -off date may be sold without a deposit by the end of 2025, but are not returned. Damaged or crushed containers are also not accepted by return machines. Errors such as illegible pawn logos can also lead to no deposit is reimbursed at the cash register.

criminal risks and pledge bons

Special attention should be paid to the submission practices. The parking of deposit bottles in addition to public dung chips is considered contamination and can be punished with up to 2,000 euros. Recovery machines accept any number of units, while sales outlets only have to accept customary household quantities. The deposit bons, which are output at the machines, are also only valid in the branch in which they were exhibited. Sales offices are obliged to withdraw packaging sizes that you sell yourself, such as Oesterreich.gv.at explained.

In heavily frequented places such as shopping centers or train stations, several sales outlets can set up joint return offices, which makes it easier to deliver. The withdrawal can take place both manually and via the withdrawal machine. In manual return, the point of sale is only obliged to take back the usual amount of sales and filling quantity. This regulation applies, for example, to bakeries that offer drinks in disposable packaging.

obligations of the sales outlets

Sales that sell drinks in disposable packaging must also withdraw them. This applies regardless of the brand of the offered drinks. According to bmluk , sales outlets also have to withdraw without returning machines, which they offer themselves. The return is limited to the amount that is usually sold to individual customers. If a bakery, for example, sells drinks of the brand X in 0.5 liters of PET bottles, it is also obliged to accept bottles of brands Y and Z, provided the amount of returning the usual sales quantity corresponds to