Recycling Day: Austria's one-way deposit system inspires the population!

Recycling Day: Austria's one-way deposit system inspires the population!

On March 18th, people around the world celebrate Global Recycling Day - an occasion to raise awareness of the circular economy and recycling. In Austria, a comprehensive one-way deposit system was introduced on January 1, 2025, which has already achieved remarkable success. Over twelve million bottles and cans have been returned to date, saving valuable resources and protecting the environment from litter. According to the management of Recycling Pfand Austria, consumers have accepted the system well, which is reflected in the strong return of deposit containers APA OTS reported. The system is designed to encourage the transition from the empty bottle back to the production of new beverage packaging, representing real progress in sustainable resource use.

Recycling deposit system in detail

The nationwide deposit system includes over 12,200 return points in Austria, ensuring convenient and service-oriented returns for consumers. An essential part of the strategy is the return of plastic bottles and cans. These materials are sorted and reused, increasing the quality of recycling. A survey by marketagent shows that around 73 percent of the population is well informed about the deposit system and around 80 percent support it. This shows that Austrians are increasingly willing to actively contribute to and support the circular economy recycling-pfand.at explained further.

Sustainability is a top priority in this project: a response rate of 80 percent should be achieved in the first year, which should increase to 90 percent by 2027. This means that Austria is already exceeding the EU requirements, which aim for such a quota by 2029. These steps underline the crucial role of the single-use deposit system in promoting a functioning circular economy and protecting the environment.