Sirup boom through disposable deposit: consumers switch to sugar!

Sirup boom through disposable deposit: consumers switch to sugar!

With the introduction of the disposable deposit system in Austria on January 1, 2025, the buying behavior of consumers is changing significantly. According to a current survey by YouGov, which is carried out in several waves, numerous consumers show a tendency to choose products that are not affected by the deposit, such as syrup. About 70 percent of the respondents are positive about the bottle withdrawal system. Around half of the participants have already returned deposit bottles to get the 25 cents back.

The new deposit system applies to all beverage bottles made of disposable plastic and aluminum doses with a volume between 0.1 and 3 liters. The empty, unforgivated bottles and cans must be returned with a readable label to get the deposit again. Interestingly, no deposit fees are collected for syrup, beverage cartons and milk and medical products, which raises concerns about sugar consumption in children. Health experts warn that children often incorrectly assess the amounts of sugar in syrup and thereby consume more sugar than with can drinks.

high acceptance of the system

A comprehensive series of surveys is intended to collect long -term developments in dealing with disposable packaging. In the first year of the system, around one million deposit bottles and cans have already been returned, such as recycling-pfand.at. The acceptance of the disposable deposit system is gratifyingly high: around 80 percent of Austrians support the concept, with 68 percent recognizing the greatest advantage in environmental protection.

Currently around 25 million deposit containers are in circulation, and the return rate of 80 percent in the first year is to be increased to 90 percent by 2027 to meet EU specifications. A large number of return points and machines make the process easier. Over 11,400 return offices, including approx. 6,000 machines, are available to consumers.

insight into future developments

With the expansion of the disposable deposit system, the gastronomy is not left out, because take-away offers and online trading with its own delivery service have to be offset. At the same time, catering businesses have no obligation to calculate the deposit during the on-site consumption.

The first waves of survey show that the buying behavior of consumers in Austria has already been influenced. The findings about the changed purchase of syrup and other products that are not affected by the new deposit system require further observations and analyzes. The upcoming waves in March, July and October will provide additional insights to the preferences of consumers so that the effects of the system can be comprehensively recorded.

in a dynamic market in which the environmental idea focuses more on the focus is to implement such systems in the right direction.