Mandatory deposit for disposable drinks packaging starts in 50 days: what you need to know

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The aim is to recycle around 2.2 billion bottles and cans every year and achieve a return rate of 90% by 2027.

“Consumers are the linchpin for the project’s success,” emphasize Monika Fiala and Simon Parth from Recycling Pfand Österreich. The deposit system promotes the circular economy by enabling the reuse of materials such as plastic and metal. The system is also intended to reduce littering, i.e. the careless throwing away of waste. By the end of 2025, the return rate should be 80 percent to meet the EU target of 90 percent by 2027.

Recycling is important

A recent survey shows that 82% of the population favours the introduction of the deposit system. The expectation that the system will reduce littering in Austria is particularly welcomed. Seven out of ten respondents believe the deposit will positively contribute to environmental protection. This support for recycling and sustainability is strongly anchored in Austria: nine out of ten people consider the recycling of drink packaging to be important.

All questions and answers

Mandatory deposit for disposable drink packaging: From 1 January 2025, every plastic bottle and metal can between 0.1 and 3 liters will be subject to the new deposit regulation.
Deposit amount: A deposit of 25 cents will be charged on bottles and cans subject to a deposit. The deposit does not increase the price of the drink as it is refunded on return. Therefore, the amount must always be shown separately on the invoice.
Exceptions: Dairy, syrups, and medical products are exempt from the deposit requirement.
Deposit symbol: Look out for the Austrian deposit symbol above the barcode. Only beverage containers with this symbol have a deposit; they are accepted at take-back points, and a deposit is paid for empty containers.
Transition phase 2025: Beverages without the deposit logo can still be sold until 2025. Beverages with a deposit symbol belong in the deposit machines; please dispose of those without a deposit symbol properly (e.g., in a yellow bag).
Correct return: Please return bottles and cans uncrushed, empty, and with a legible label. Return machines and manual returners must clearly read the deposit symbol and the barcode. The packaging must, therefore, be clearly assignable to the Austrian deposit system.
Closure on return: Empty plastic bottles can be returned with or without a cap. This does not influence the deposit payment.
Return points: Returns can be made at many points of sale where containers subject to deposit are sold, such as supermarkets, bakeries, drugstores, or catering outlets. 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 must only take back the usual quantities sold per customer.

“Everyone can contribute to the functioning of this new deposit system and to achieving the collection target with every bottle, which can be returned, thus making a significant contribution to conserving resources,” concludes Fiala and Parth.