Campaigning for a real deposit return scheme is the logical next step

The Brussels reward-on-return scheme is complex in its design. Even so, 40,000 cans have already been collected through it in well over a month. This shows that deposit return systems work, even with the handbrake on. For the environment, however, it is important that a genuine deposit return system is legally introduced, environmental organisation Recycling Netwerk Benelux responded on Tuesday to the proposal by the NSZ (Neutral Syndicate for the Self-Employed) to roll out the Brussels reward-on-return project across the whole of Belgium.

In the Brussels project, people receive a shopping voucher of 5 cents per littered can that they hand in at one of the 3 Brussels collection points. This voucher is capped at 1.25 euros and can only be redeemed at a very limited number of shops in Brussels.

In genuine deposit return systems, such as in Germany and dozens of other countries, the amounts involved are 10 to 25 cents per beverage container, which you receive back in cash or as shopping vouchers at all points of sale. The amount returned is not capped, Recycling Netwerk analyses in an extensive comparison of the systems. The size of the amount and the ease with which you can cash in the deposit at easily accessible shops contribute significantly to the success of deposit systems in keeping the environment clean.

“The Brussels reward-on-return project is therefore ‘deposit with the handbrake on’. There are all kinds of restrictions holding back its success. And yet, in the first 42 days, 40,000 cans were collected according to figures from Bruzz. It therefore shows how great the potential of a genuine, complete and generally introduced deposit return system in our country could be,” Recycling Netwerk concludes.

NSZ president Christine Mattheeuws says that retailers are reluctant to invest in reverse vending machines. As it stands, independent retailers can of course also accept packaging manually at the checkout. And in Norway, a handling fee is provided where the retailer receives financially covering compensation for every bottle and can accepted. For a fair system, it is important that producers of bottles and cans help pay for the intake costs. For retailers, deposit return systems are actually very attractive, because they bring extra customers through the door.

“The Brussels project is interesting, but it cannot replace a well-designed deposit return system. To clean up our streets and nature, it is essential that deposits are introduced generally through legislation. Otherwise, a handbrake remains on its success. The fact that self-employed businesses want to cooperate with deposit systems is an important signal for policymakers. We therefore call on the NSZ to take the logical next step and plead alongside us and the Deposit Alliance for the general introduction of deposit return systems in the coalition agreements of the three regions,” concludes environmental organisation Recycling Netwerk Benelux.