How can other European countries learn from Germany's bottle deposit schemes?
Other European countries can learn from Germany's bottle deposit scheme by ¹ ² ³:
- Imposing a deposit on both single-use and refillable containers to encourage consumers to return their bottles and cans
- Ensuring that the deposit value is high enough to incentivize returns, with a higher deposit for single-use containers
- Making it easy and convenient for consumers to return their containers, with a dense network of return locations
- Including a wide range of materials in the deposit return scheme, such as PET plastic, metal cans, and glass
- Encouraging the use of refillable containers, which can be reused multiple times and made from sustainable materials
- Ensuring that the deposit return scheme is well-designed and industry-owned, with clear labeling and convenient return locations
- Expanding the scheme to include more types of beverages and containers, such as milk-based drinks and Tetra Paks
- Encouraging producers to use recycled materials and reduce waste
- Educating consumers about the importance of recycling and the benefits of the deposit return scheme

