On your marks, get set, deposit: Austria launches one-way deposit system

The time has come: the new single-use deposit regulation comes into force in Austria in January. This marks the start of one of the country's largest circular economy projects: Bottle-to-bottle and can-to-can recycling will become a reality from January 1, making an effective contribution to combating littering. What will change as a result and what consumers will have to prepare for in future.

The one-way deposit system for plastic bottles and metal cans will be launched in Austria at the turn of the year. The aim is to keep valuable materials from drinks packaging in circulation and reduce the careless discarding of bottles and cans into the environment. The new deposit system aims to recycle around 2.2 billion bottles and cans every year and achieve a return rate of 90% by 2027. Recycling Pfand Österreich, the central body tasked with implementing the new deposit regulation, explains what will change for the Austrian population from January and what they need to look out for in future.

Starting signal for the one-way deposit at the turn of the year
From January 2, the new containers marked with the deposit logo will be delivered and gradually end up on the shelves. At the same time, the Austria-wide information campaign "Achtung Einsatz!" will be launched on January 9, which will inform consumers on all channels about the single-use deposit, the return processes and the environmental benefits. "We expect to see a large number of deposit containers on the shelves from April. A glance at the label will show whether it is a deposit product with a deposit symbol," explains the Recycling Pfand Österreich management.

Attention use: What consumers need to be aware of from January 2025

• Mandatory deposit for disposable drinks packaging: From January 1, 2025, all plastic bottles and metal cans marked with the deposit symbol with a volume between 0.1 and 3 liters will be subject to the new deposit regulation.
• Exceptions: Dairy products, syrups and medical products are exempt from the deposit requirement.
• Deposit amount: There is a 25 cent deposit on bottles and cans with an Austrian deposit logo. The deposit will be refunded on return. The amount must be stated separately on the invoice and may not be included in the price.
• Deposit symbol: Look out for the Austrian deposit symbol above the barcode. Only drinks containers with this symbol have a deposit, are accepted at take-back points and the deposit is paid out for empty containers.
• Transition phase 2025: Beverages without the deposit symbol can still be sold until the end of 2025, provided they were produced by March 31, 2025. Beverages with a deposit symbol belong in the deposit machines; please dispose of those without a deposit symbol properly.
• Correct return: Please return bottles and cans uncrushed, empty and with a legible label. The deposit symbol and the barcode must be able to be read clearly by return machines and manual return recipients. The packaging must be clearly assignable to the Austrian deposit system.
• Cap on return: Empty plastic bottles can be returned with or without a cap. This has no influence on the deposit payment.
• Take-back points: Returns can be made at many points of sale where the containers subject to deposit are sold, i.e. in supermarkets, bakeries, drugstores or in some catering establishments. Returns can be made either via vending machines or manually.
• Number of returns: reverse vending machines accept an unlimited number of containers. Points of sale with manual take-back only have to take back the usual quantities sold per customer.

Strengthening the circular economy with a single-use deposit

The introduction of the one-way deposit promotes the circular economy and conserves resources through efficient recycling and the reuse of high-quality plastic and metal materials for drinks packaging. The "bottle to bottle or can to can" cycle thus becomes a reality. At the same time, the one-way deposit system contributes to the gradual disappearance of littering, i.e. the careless throwing away of waste in nature. The deposit regulation provides for a return rate of 80% in the first year, which will be increased to 90% by 2027 - this means that Austria will already meet the EU target of 90% collection before 2029 and support a sustainable circular economy.

Even before the official launch, acceptance among the Austrian population is enormous: 82 percent are in favor of the deposit system. This is the result of a recent survey conducted by marketagent on behalf of Recycling Pfand Österreich. Furthermore, seven out of ten of those surveyed in Austria are convinced that the new deposit system will significantly reduce littering and make an important contribution to environmental protection. This is also reflected in other deposit countries: it is clear that deposit bottles and cans are no longer being thrown away in the countryside. People in Austria also agree on the issue of recycling: nine out of ten consider the recycling of drinks packaging to be very or somewhat important.

"The results show how important issues such as sustainability, resource conservation and environmental protection are for the local population. With the new single-use deposit system, we are showing that a functioning circular economy and resource conservation can go hand in hand," concluded Fiala and Parth.