Container deposit legislation
Container-deposit legislation (CDL) is any law that requires collection of a monetary deposit on soft-drink, juice, milk, water, alcoholic-beverage, and/or other containers at the point of sale. When the container is returned to an authorized redemption center, or to the original seller in some jurisdictions, the deposit is partly or fully refunded to the redeemer (presumed to be the original purchaser). It is a deposit-refund system.
Governments may pass container deposit legislation for several reasons:
- to encourage recycling and complement existing curbside recycling programs, to reduce energy and material usage for containers
- to specifically reduce beverage container litter along highways, in lakes and rivers, and on other public or private properties (where beverage container litter occurs, a nominal deposit provides an economic incentive to clean it up; this is in fact a significant source of income to some poor individuals and non-profit civic organizations
- to discourage the purchase of the products by raising their initial price,
- to extend the usable lifetime of taxpayer-supported community or regional landfills, and
- to protect children and animals by reducing the likelihood of glass lacerations.
- not to depend on commercial entities for recycling. The commercial interests can oppose the recycling for various reasons, although they may have an incentive to reduce the packaging cost, and voluntarily, e.g. by competition, introduce a refund for recycled containers. And the refund policy may be less than just, e.g. no refund without new purchase.
Deposits that are not redeemed are often used (escheated) by the governmental entity involved to fund environmental programs; sometimes they are used to cover the costs of processing returned containers.
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History [edit]
A & R Thwaites & Co in Dublin announced in 1799 the provision of artificial "soda water" and that they paid 2 shillings a dozen for returned bottles. Schweppes that also was in the business of artificially made mineral waters, had a similar recycling policy about 1800, without any legislation.[1] In Sweden a standard system for deposits on bottles and recycling was established in 1884, eventually by law. The popular demand for a deposit on aluminium cans to reduce littering in the nature led to legislation in 1984, possibly the world's earliest.
Container-deposit legislation by country [edit]
Australia [edit]
The state of South Australia has a refund of 10 cents per can or bottle.[2] Northern Territory introduced one in 2012, however after a challenge by Coca Cola Amatil in the Federal Court, on the 4th of March 2013 this ended.[3]
Canada [edit]
Many provinces in Canada have deposit refund systems in place for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage containers: glass, plastic, aluminum, and tetrapak containers have deposit requirements in various provinces. Deposits range from 5¢ to 40¢ per unit.
Ontario's system of deposit refunds for beer bottles, through "The Beer Store" (The Beer Store is owned by three Ontario brewers: Labatt, Molson and Sleeman),[4] has close to a 100% return rate. The bottles can be cleaned and reused 15 to 20 times. Effective February 5, 2007, Ontario's container deposit applies to wine and spirit, in addition to beer containers.[5] However, even though spirits may only be purchased at government run stores (LCBO) and wine may only be purchased there and at specialty wine shops and directly from wineries, these bottles may only be returned for deposit refund at The Beer Store.
Croatia [edit]
In Croatia a deposit of 0,50 Kuna was placed in 2006 on non-reusable containers with minimum volume of 0,2 l.[6][7]
Estonia [edit]
In Estonia there is a universal recycling system for one-time and multiple-refill containers.
The deposits are:
- Cans: 0,08 €
- PET-bottles up to 0,5 l: 0,04 €
- Larger PET-bottles: 0,08 €
- Glass bottles for beverages with 0 to 8% alcohol: 0,08 €
Fiji [edit]
In 2011 the Fijian Cabinet approved the Environment Management [Waste Disposal and Recycling] [Amendment] Regulations 2011, and the Environment Management [Container Deposit] Regulations 2011.[8]
Germany [edit]
In Germany container deposit legislation, known as Pfand or Einwegpfand (single-use deposit), was passed in 2002, and was implemented on 1 January 2003.[citation needed] However, its implementation was fought by lobby groups of German bottling industry and retailers. This fight also included trials at the Federal Administrative Court of Germany and the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, but all trials were won by the German federal government.[9] The deposit legislation does not cover containers for fruit juice, wine, spirits, liquors, and certain dietary drinks.
As of 2010[update], the standard deposit for all single-use containers (cans, single-use glass and plastic bottles) is € 0.25.
Netherlands [edit]
Large Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soda bottles carry a 25-cent deposit. This deposit will be lifted in 2015.[10]
New Zealand [edit]
New Zealand had no container-deposit legislation until 2008 when the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 passed into law. The Act has provision for product stewardship of which container-deposit legislation is the most familiar type. As of 2010[update] there is no widespread deposits available on containers with some beer bottles being a notable exception.
The Nordic countries [edit]
Container deposit legislation is widespread in the Nordic countries.[citation needed] In some cases it replaced legislation which forbade the selling of some types of beverage containers, particularly aluminium beverage cans.
Denmark [edit]
In Denmark the selling of aluminium beverage cans was forbidden between 1982 and 2002. However this regulation violated European Union law. Therefore the EU forced Denmark to replace it, and the new legislation, passed in 2002, was in fact a container deposit legislation. It established the following container deposits:
- Refillable glass bottles up to and incl. 0.5 litres: 1.50 DKK
- Refillable glass bottles over 0.5 litres: 3.00 DKK
- Cans, glass and plastic bottles under 1 litre: 1.50 DKK
- Exception: Plastic bottles of 0.5 litres: 1.50 DKK
- Cans, glass and plastic bottles of 1 litre and over: 3.00 DKK
Norway [edit]
Automated recycling of bottles has been in use since the 1970s. Similarly to the situation in Denmark, the selling of aluminium beverage cans was forbidden in Norway up until the end of the 20th century. In 1999 a container deposit legislation was passed, which also abolished this regulation. Today, there are the following container deposits in Norway:
- Cans, glass and plastic bottles up to 0.5 litre: 1.00 NOK
- Cans, glass and plastic bottles over 0.5 litre: 2.50 NOK
- Bottle crates are also reverse vended.
Norsk Resirk[11] is the non-profit system founded 3 May 1999 and co-owned by various organisations in trade and industry that handles the depositing and recycling non-refillable plastic bottles and beverage cans in Norway. The Norwegian system works in such a way that the excise tax decreases as the returns increases, meaning that for example 90 per cent returns for cans translates into a 90 per cent discount on the excise tax. This again allows drink products to be sold at lower prices.
In 2005 93% of all recyclable bottles and 80% of all drink cans in Norway returned into the deposit and recycling system. That year also saw 280 million NOK in deposits being paid for the return of 194 million cans and 49 million bottles.
Deposits on drink containers have a long history in Norway, starting with deposits on beer bottles in 1902. The deposit back then was 0,06 NOK (3,30 NOK in 2006 currency value). This deposit arrangement was later expanded to include soft drink bottles.
Up until 1 January 2001 the Vinmonopolet government wine and spirits monopoly chain had deposits on products made by the company itself, this did not include imported products.
All sellers of deposit marked drinking containers are required by law to accept returns of empty containers for cash. Today drink containers can be returned and deposits retrieved at over 9,000 establishments in Norway, and there are almost 3,000 reverse vending machines where drink containers can be exchanged for receipts that can be cashed in at the counter. Most reverse vending machines in Norway are manufactured by Tomra Systems ASA.
Sweden [edit]
In Sweden, there are deposits on nearly all containers for consumption-ready beverages. Of the aluminium cans and PET bottles affected by the deposit that are sold, 91% and 84% are returned respectively.[12] The return rates for the two glass bottle types are 99% and 90% respectively.[13][14]
AB Svenska Returpack is responsible for the deposit system for aluminium cans and PET bottles.[15] The aluminum cans have had a deposit since 1984, and PET bottles since 1994. Svensk GlasÅtervinning AB is responsible for the deposit system of glass bottles.[16][17] A glass bottle recycling system was introduced in 1884 and the bottles were first standardized in 1885.[18]
Until 1998, the hard alcohol and wine bottles sold at Systembolaget — the government owned alcohol retail monopoly — had a deposit as well, but due to the deregulation of the Systembolaget's suppliers, the former sole supplier V&S Group dropped the deposit on their bottles due to the restricted bottle shapes giving V&S a disadvantage compared to the competitors. The bottles could be returned and deposit refunded until early 1999 at Systembolaget.[19]
The legislation regarding container deposit systems was updated so that from January 1, 2006 containers from other plastics and metals, e.g. steel cans, can be included in the deposit systems.[12][20] The law also makes it illegal in Sweden to sell consumption-ready beverages in containers that are not part of an authorized Swedish container deposit system, with the exception of beverages that mainly consist of dairy products or vegetable, fruit, or berry juice. However, private importation from (mainly Eastern European) countries without deposit occurs by vendors that thus compete with a somewhat lower customer price. The recycling of these contraband cans has been low as seen as a problem, but Returpack made a campaign in 2010 offering 0.10 SEK for each imported can (without deposit) to the benefit of WWF, retrieving 17 million cans. In 2011 a similar campaign was repeated, retrieving almost 18 million cans.[21] Non-deposit glass containers are collected in large glass garbage bins, for clear or coloured glass, placed centrally in most urban areas.
- Cans: 0.89 SEK marked on label as 1 SEK SEK[22][23]
- PET bottles up to 1 L: .89 kr (marked on label as 1 kr)[24]
- PET bottles over 1 L: 1.79 (marked on label as 2 kr)[25]
- 0.33 L glass bottle: 0.60 SEK[13]
- 0.50 L glass bottle: 0.90 SEK[14]
- ≤ 1 L non-refillable PET bottle: 1.00 SEK[26]
- > 1 L non-refillable PET bottle: 2.00 SEK[26]
The 1.5 L refillable PET bottle with a deposit of 4.00 SEK has been discontinued, and has been replaced by the 1.5 L non-refillable PET bottle. The last day for returning bottles made by Spendrups for deposit was 30 June 2007,[27] and the last day for bottles made by Coca-Cola Sweden was 30 June 2008.[28]
Although Sweden is one of the leading countries in recycling of beverage containters, Returpack uses TV commercials to promote more recycling. Commercials have been made with well-known melodies sung, like "Guantanamera" and "Pata pata" sounding like Returpack's slogan "panta mera" (i.e. "recycle more").
Finland [edit]
Recycling first started in 1952 with the Coca-Cola bottles and other bottles became recyclable eventually. Deposits on aluminum cans were introduced in 1996 and on PET bottles in 2008. The recycling is administered by Palpa. Glass bottles have almost 100% recycling and are refilled 33 times on average. Aluminium cans have a recycling rate of about 94% and PET bottles 92% (2010), deemed to be top statistics internationally.[29][30]
- Aluminium cans: 0.15 €
- 0.33 L glass bottle: 0.10 €
- Bottles of wine and liquors (returned to Alko): 0.10€
- 0.33 L non-refillable PET bottle: 0.10 €
- 0.50 L non-refillable PET bottle: 0.20 €
- 1.50 L non-refillable PET bottle: 0.40 €
- 2 L non-refillable PET bottle: 0.40 €
Switzerland [edit]
In Switzerland there is a government ruling saying that 75% of containers must be returned, otherwise a deposit system may be introduced.[31]
United States [edit]
The United States container-deposit legislation is popularly called "bottle bills" after the Oregon Bottle Bill, the first container deposit legislation passed in the U.S.
Efforts to pass container deposit legislation in the 39 states that do not have them are often politically contentious. The U.S. beverage container industry --- including both the bottlers of water, soda, beer, and the corporate owners of grocery stores and convenience stores --- often spends large amounts of money lobbying against the introduction of both new and amended beverage container deposit legislation.[citation needed]
States that have a can deposit regulation:
- Connecticut (0.05 US$), introduced 1980
- Delaware (0.05 US$), introduced 1982, abolished 2009, replaced by Universal Recycling law.
- Hawaii (0.05 US$), introduced 2005
- Iowa (0.05 US$, incl. wine bottles), introduced 1979
- California (0.05 US$, 0.10 US$ for bottles above 24 fl oz [almost 710 ml]), introduced 1987, 25% raise in 2007
- Maine (0.05 US$), introduced 1978
- Massachusetts (0.05 US$), introduced 1983
- Michigan (0.10 US$), introduced 1978
- New York (0.05 US$), introduced 1982
- Oregon (0.05 US$), introduced 1972
- Vermont (0.05 US$), introduced 1973
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.britishsoftdrinks.com/PDF/history.pdf
- ^ Beverage Container Legislation in Australia
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Beer Store"
- ^ "Eligible Items & Return Rates"
- ^ index.hr
- ^ nendwich.de
- ^ "Cabinet Approves Environment Management (Waste Disposal And Recycling) (Amendment) Regulations 2011". Fijian Government. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ^ "Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Germany"
- ^ http://www.packagingeurope.com/Packaging-Europe-News/47710/Dutch-parliament-scraps-PET-bottle-deposit-scheme.html
- ^ Norsk Resirk :: Home
- ^ a b "Fakta om Returpack". AB Svenska Returpack. Archived from the original on September 19, 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
- ^ a b "33 cl glasflaskan". Sveriges Bryggerier. Retrieved 2008-07-02.[dead link]
- ^ a b "50 cl glasflaskan". Sveriges Bryggerier. Retrieved 2008-07-02.[dead link]
- ^ "Fakta om Returpack". AB Svenska Returpack. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ "Om du har producentansvar". Svensk Glasåtervinning. Retrieved 2008-07-02.[dead link]
- ^ "Svensk Glasåtervinning". Sveriges Bryggerier. Retrieved 2008-07-02.[dead link]
- ^ "Standard sedan 1885". Svergies Bryggerier. Retrieved 2008-07-02.[dead link]
- ^ "Sista chansen att panta vin- och spritflaskor". Aftonbladet. 1999-02-21. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ "Svensk författningssamling SFS 2005:220". Parliament of Sweden. 2005-04-14. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ www.returpack.se
- ^ "Fakta om burken". AB Svenska Returpack. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ http://www.bottlebill.org/legislation/world/sweden.htm
- ^ http://www.bottlebill.org/legislation/world/sweden.htm
- ^ http://www.bottlebill.org/legislation/world/sweden.htm
- ^ a b "Fakta om PET". AB Svenska Returpack. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ "Viktig information angående 4:- pant för hårda retur-PET flaskor Sverige" (PDF) (Press release) (in Swedish). Sveriges Bryggerier. July 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ "Pant upphör 30 juni 2008". Sveriges Bryggerier. Archived from the original on 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ www.palpa.fi
- ^ www.pantilliset.fi
- ^ Verordnung über Getränkeverpackungen (VGV) vom 5. Juli 2000
External links [edit]
- Container Recycling Institute - Bottle Bill Resource Guide
- Deposit System Administration
- Dansk Retursystem A/S - operator of the Danish deposit and return system (in Danish and English)
- Norsk Resirk - operator of the Norwegian deposit and return system (in Norwegian and English)
