Deposit system for plastic bottles and metal cans
Austria began implementing a deposit system for plastic bottles and metal cans at the beginning of the year, followed by an increase in the deposit value for beer bottles in February. This change has caused significant confusion among consumers, as the deposit values vary between 25, 20, or even 0 cents depending on the type of container.
How does the new system work? A deposit of 25 cents is imposed on all plastic bottles and metal cans with a capacity of 0.1 to 3 liters, provided they carry the deposit symbol and are returned intact. During the transition period until March 31, some products are still sold without a deposit. Rising beer prices due to deposits The deposit on beer bottles has been raised from 9 to 20 cents, increasing the cost for consumers. When purchasing a case of beer, consumers now pay 7 euros as a deposit, compared to 4.80 euros previously. Some types of beer, such as Corona, are now only sold in deposit bottles.
New exceptions and restrictions The system does not include cardboard boxes, beverage bottles, metal bottles with plastic caps, dairy products, and some medical liquids. To prevent "deposit tourism," the deposit on Austrian beer bottles sold abroad has been raised to 7 euros, making their return in other countries unprofitable.