The Growing Adoption of Deposit Return Schemes in Europe
by Ramisa Shahjahan at 08:05 in Circular Economy, Environmental, Packaging
Across Europe, Deposit Return Schemes are increasingly recognised as an effective approach to reduce plastic pollution and encourage recycling.
A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a waste management system in which consumers pay a refundable deposit upon purchasing beverages in bottles or cans. The deposit is reimbursed when the empty container is returned to a designated collection point, such as a reverse vending machine or retail outlet. By providing a financial incentive to return used containers, DRS supports higher recycling rates, reducing litter and facilitates the recovery of high-quality materials for reuse in production.
The history of DRS in Europe
Sweden was the first European country to introduce legislation for a Deposit Return Scheme, implementing a system in 1984 - in response to the issue of litter from discarded containers. This initiative set a precedent and soon inspired other Nordic countries to follow suit — with Norway adopting similar measures in 1999, followed by Denmark in 2002. These early adopters recognised the environmental benefits of DRS, particularly its contribution to advancing a circular economy.
In Germany, the concept of a DRS was introduced in the early 1990s through a packaging ordinance that required at least 72% of all beverages to be packaged in refillable containers. If this target was not met, a mandatory deposit would apply for single-use beverage containers. Within a few years, the market share of refillable containers dropped below the required target, leading to the introduction of a German Deposit Return Scheme for single-use containers in January 2003. Today, the German system covering PET, aluminium, and glass containers is regarded as one of the most successful DRS implementations globally. The adoption of Deposit Return Schemes gained momentum, as an increasing number of European countries introduced such systems in the following years. Today many European countries have operating Deposit Return Schemes in place.
PPWR
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduced new provisions for Member States to comply with in relation to Deposit Return Schemes. Under this regulation Members States are required to implement Deposit Return Schemes from the 1 January 2029. Countries can apply for an exemption to this obligation if they can prove that they have achieved a separate collection rate above 80% by weight of the covered containers in 2026. The mandated Deposit Return Scheme in the PPWR applies to plastic and metal beverage containers with a capacity of up to three litres. It also encourages Member States to establish a Deposit Return Scheme for glass and carton beverage containers – though this is not mandatory.
In light of these provisions, it is anticipated that more EU Member States will establish Deposit Return Schemes very soon, aligning with the regulatory framework and environmental objectives of the EU.
Conclusion
As Europe advances toward a more sustainable and circular economy, Deposit return schemes represent a proven and practical solution for reducing waste and improving recycling rates. Germany's system highlights just how effective DRS can be in, cutting down litter, boosting recycling rates, and shifting public behaviour toward more responsible consumption.
With the enforcement of the PPWR, a broader rollout of DRS across the EU is anticipated, paving the way for a more harmonised and efficient approach to managing beverage containers. It's a big step toward a cleaner, greener Europe—and a reminder that sometimes, small actions like returning a bottle can add up to a big impact.
If you are interested in learning more about Deposit Return Schemes, please contact us!
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