Deposit on one-way packaging in Germany

On December 17, 2004, the Upper House of the Federal Parliament adopted an amendment to the Packaging Ordinance which stipulated a deposit on one-way containers for beer, mineral water and soft drinks effective May 2005, irrespective of a quota for refillable containers.  In addition to this resolution adopted by the Upper House, further amendments to the regulations governing the deposit on one-way containers shall take effect in May 2006:

• Effective May 2006, the deposit will also be charged for non carbonated soft drinks and alcopops in one-way containers.  Wine, milk and juices as well as beverages in beverage cartons continue to be exempt from deposit.
• As from May 2006, the so-called island solutions shall no longer be permitted.  These solutions previously allowed the retail chains to only take back those containers whose design could be definitely attributed to a specific retail chain.

In view of the amended deposit regulations, retailers and industry have already started to set up a functioning, nation-wide return system to be in place by May 2006.  This includes clearing systems, which permit settlement of excess deposit amounts and deficits as well as a safety identification to avoid deposit fraud.  The Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH (DPG), a joint venture between the Bundesvereinigung der Ernährungsindustrie (BVE) (Federal Association for the Food Industry) and the Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels (HDE) (Main Association of German Retailers) bears the responsibility for this.

Ball Packaging Europe is actively involved in setting up the return system.