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As of 1 January 2025, all lightweight and metal packaging will also be collected in the yellow garbage can or yellow bag in the federal states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Burgenland, Styria, and parts of Upper Austria. This means that Austria has switched to a uniform collection system.
One-way deposit for pet bottles
At the same time, a one-way deposit for plastic drink bottles and cans is being introduced throughout Austria, leaving more space in the collection bins and allowing metal packaging to be collected simultaneously. The well-functioning system for the collection of waste paper, as well as white and colored glass, remains unchanged.
Campaign starts on January 9
The aim of the new deposit system is to recycle 2.2 billion bottles and cans a year by 2027—a return rate of 90%. The “Achtung Einsatz!” campaign aims to get consumers on board. Two figures—the plastic bottle “Pet” and the metal can “Can”—are to communicate the central message of the “use” of 25 cents and the commitment to the circular economy in TV, print advertisements, outdoor advertising and online. The focus is also on “anti-littering,” i.e., the fight against carelessly discarded bottles and cans. The major drink producers will start producing the deposit containers in January. “It will be around mid-January before the products are on the shelves,” which is why we are launching the information campaign on 9 January,” said Monika Fiala, Managing Director of Recycling Pfand Österreich, recently at the start of the new system.
Empty and not crushed brings back money
Every plastic bottle or metal can be marked with the Austrian deposit symbol above the barcode and is eligible for a 25-cent deposit. However, the containers must be returned empty and with a legible label, i.e., not crushed, to read the barcode. Whether or not the bottle cap is returned has no influence on the deposit payment. In a transitional phase until the end of 2025, drinks can still be sold without a deposit logo if they were produced before 31 March 2025. Exceptions are dairy products, syrups, medical products or drinks in composite cartons such as the Tetra Pak.
Where can I return the deposit bottles?
Returns can generally be made wherever the products are sold, with a few exceptions: The post office or food suppliers will not take back the deposit, as will “closed” catering establishments designed for on-site consumption and also do not charge the deposit. In addition, in highly frequented places such as shopping centers, several sellers can join forces and enable the joint return at one location, Recycling Pfand Austria said.
- source: oe24.at/picture: Image by Gino Crescoli from Pixabay
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