Fixed deposit for plastic bottles and beverage cans

Vienna. The one-way filing of plastic and beverage cans passed the cabinet on Wednesday. So the new waste management law states that from 2025, a deposit must be paid when purchasing one-way beverage packaging, which customers will return to once the pack is returned to the store. “Then we can recycle better and make sure the bottle becomes a bottle again,” said Environment Minister Leonor Gosler (Greens).

As early as 2024, the reusable binding offer will gradually return to stores. From now on, there should be refillable drink containers again in all supermarkets. “With the Reusable Binding Offer, freedom of choice is back in business. I want everyone who wants to be reusable to become reusable. That is why we are reintroducing the Reusable Binding Offer with the Waste Management Act. From 2024, the products will be Again in all shops and all categories in returnable products. Not only with beer, but also with juices, mineral water or milk,” says Gewessler.

Amendment to the Waste Management Law

The waste management law amendment must now be dealt with in Parliament. After the decision, the Department of Climate Protection wants to work on the details of the filing system – such as the exact deposit amount – with partners from the business world. “Our goal is to quickly achieve clarity and security planning and take the first steps to avoid waste very soon,” the minister said.

Years of discussion preceded the introduction of the deposit. Recently, most supermarkets and discount stores have also spoken out in favor of a similar system. Over 900,000 tons of plastic waste are generated in Austria each year. About 50,000 tons of them are beverage cans only. That’s roughly 2.5 billion bottles and cans that often end up in nature.