Germany Strengthens Beverage Recycling Laws

Date: June 19, 2003

Source: News Room

Berlin is toughening its recycling rules to end chaos that followed the January introduction of a new law forcing retailers to charge a deposit on cans and so-called one-way bottles. Under a law introduced in January, German retailers were forced to charge a deposit of between 25 and 50 cents. Now the German Cabinet has approved new draft legislation effectively extending the system for returning non-refillable bottles and cans to include most drink containers. The move to stricter laws for drink containers has already set off concerns across beverage industries that see Germany as major growth market. The law has been problematic since its inception, with some brewers, bottlers, tank stations and supermarkets reporting that sales have plunged by up to 80 percent.

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