50 organisations advocate for effective deposit return systems in packaging regulation

With negotiations on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in full swing, fifty organisations from 13 European countries are calling for the implementation of a robust and effective deposit return scheme (DRS) for beverage packaging in all member states. In the context of the climate and resources crisis, and given the EU's ambition, a broad platform of nearly fifty organisations from 13 European countries wants to remind the Council representatives that there is still time to raise the ambition of the final PPWR. Ensuring a robust deposit return scheme is important in this regard because it is a necessary tool to guarantee true circularity for single-use beverage packaging. Notably, the European Parliament (EP) rejected in its plenary session all amendments aimed at making deposit return schemes voluntary for member states. This shows that the EP, in line with the European Commission's original proposal, is determined to make deposit return schemes for beverage packaging the norm in Europe. However, following the EP vote, the wording of Article 44 on deposit return schemes lacks the ambition and strength of the Commission's original draft. This potentially opens the door to critical shortcuts and loopholes that could delay the implementation of deposit return schemes across Europe. The group of organisations, which already presented a joint position paper ahead of the plenary vote, is calling for a final version of the PPWR that protects a proven effective deposit return scheme by: Raising the threshold for exemption from implementing a national deposit return scheme to the original collection rate of 90%, instead of the 85% proposed by the Parliament. Phasing out any escape routes for countries resisting the introduction of a deposit return scheme, such as the option for countries to present an 'action plan' to achieve the 85% target. This ignores the spirit of the legislation and the targets already established in the Single-Use Plastics Directive. Avoiding any mention of 'digital' deposit return schemes. This is proposed as an alternative but has not been implemented anywhere yet, and has been devised by the industry to evade the implementation of proven deposit return schemes. Why do we need a robust and effective deposit return scheme? It is the only measure that guarantees a separate collection rate of over 90% for beverage packaging; This collection of high-quality materials: enables closed-loop recycling (bottle-to-bottle) with maximum use of materials; is compatible with reuse systems (which use the same infrastructure), supporting compliance with the reuse targets in the PPWR; It minimises the share of beverage packaging in litter, contributing to lower costs for local authorities and less leakage of raw materials. Alexis Eisenberg, Director France and Francophonie, Reloop Platform (France): “The European Commission and the Parliament endorse mandatory deposit return schemes in the PPWR, a crucial text shaping the next decade of the European packaging sector. Deposit return systems, a powerful tool for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ensure high collection rates, closed-loop recycling and reuse. The Council must now strengthen this support; this is crucial for France to get on board. Despite France having deposit return provisions in its anti-waste law (AGEC, 2020), it struggles to break the status quo, resulting in 8 billion plastic bottles and cans wasted every year. It is time to make deposit return schemes mandatory for a more circular Europe.” Chloé Schwizgebel, Project Coordinator at Recycling Netwerk Benelux (Belgium): “Strong legislation for deposit return schemes in the PPWR fully aligns with Belgium's high ambitions in recycling, prevention, reuse and litter reduction. The Belgian authorities themselves are preparing to introduce a deposit return scheme in 2025. It would be illogical if the Belgian presidency settled for anything less than a mandatory deposit return scheme.” Miquel Roset, Director of Retorna (Spain): “The Spanish presidency and the permanent representatives from Spain must keep fighting for the best possible outcome for the PPWR, aiming for a mandatory deposit return scheme as the presidency has done so far. Without a deposit return scheme, 35 million beverage containers are landfilled, incinerated or littered every day in Spain. We support any effort by Spain to remain committed and reject proposals to weaken the ambition. We need a deposit return scheme so we can reuse these containers or recycle them t

With negotiations on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in full swing, fifty organisations from 13 European countries are calling for the implementation of a robust and effective deposit return scheme for beverage packaging in all member states.

In the context of the climate and resources crisis, and given the EU's ambition, a broad platform of nearly fifty organisations from 13 European countries wants to remind the Council representatives that there is still time to raise the ambition of the final PPWR. Ensuring a robust deposit return scheme is important in this regard because it is a necessary tool to guarantee true circularity for single-use beverage packaging.

Notably, the European Parliament (EP) rejected in its plenary session all amendments aimed at making deposit return schemes voluntary for member states. This shows that the EP, in line with the European Commission's original proposal, is determined to make deposit return schemes for beverage packaging the norm in Europe. However, following the EP vote, the wording of Article 44 on deposit return schemes lacks the ambition and strength of the Commission's original draft. This potentially opens the door to critical shortcuts and loopholes that could delay the implementation of deposit return schemes across Europe.

The group of organisations, which already presented a joint position paper ahead of the plenary vote, is calling for a final version of the PPWR that protects a proven effective deposit return scheme by:

Raising the threshold for exemption from implementing a national deposit return scheme to the original collection rate of 90%, instead of the 85% proposed by the Parliament

Phasing out any escape routes for countries resisting the introduction of a deposit return scheme, such as the option for countries to present an 'action plan' to achieve the 85% target. This ignores the spirit of the legislation and the targets already established in the Single-Use Plastics Directive.

Avoiding any mention of 'digital' deposit return schemes. This is proposed as an alternative but has not been implemented anywhere yet, and has been devised by the industry to evade the implementation of proven deposit return schemes.

Why do we need a robust and effective deposit return scheme?

It is the only measure that guarantees a separate collection rate of over 90% for beverage packaging;

This collection of high-quality materials: enables closed-loop recycling (bottle-to-bottle) with maximum use of materials;

is compatible with reuse systems (which use the same infrastructure), supporting compliance with the reuse targets in the PPWR;

It minimises the share of beverage packaging in litter, contributing to lower costs for local authorities and less leakage of raw materials.

Alexis Eisenberg, Director France and Francophonie, Reloop Platform (France): “The European Commission and the Parliament endorse mandatory deposit return schemes in the PPWR, a crucial text shaping the next decade of the European packaging sector. Deposit return systems, a powerful tool for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ensure high collection rates, closed-loop recycling and reuse. The Council must now strengthen this support; this is crucial for France to get on board. Despite France having deposit return provisions in its anti-waste law (AGEC, 2020), it struggles to break the status quo, resulting in 8 billion plastic bottles and cans wasted every year. It is time to make deposit return systems mandatory for a more circular Europe.”

Chloé Schwizgebel, Project Coordinator at Recycling Netwerk Benelux (Belgium): “Strong legislation for deposit return schemes in the PPWR fully aligns with Belgium's high ambitions in recycling, prevention, reuse and litter reduction. The Belgian authorities themselves are preparing to introduce a deposit return scheme in 2025. It would be illogical if the Belgian presidency settled for anything less than a mandatory deposit return scheme.”

Miquel Roset, Director of Retorna (Spain): “The Spanish presidency and the permanent representatives from Spain must keep fighting for the best possible outcome for the PPWR, aiming for a mandatory deposit return scheme as the presidency has done so far. Without a deposit return scheme, 35 million beverage containers are landfilled, incinerated or littered every day in Spain. We support any effort by Spain to remain committed and reject proposals to weaken the ambition. We need a deposit return scheme so we can reuse these containers or recycle them into new packaging.”

Next steps

On 22 November, the European Parliament voted in its plenary session on an amended version of the PPWR, which will form the basis of the EP's negotiating position. At the same time, the Council is preparing its own position, which will be determined in the coming weeks. The trilogue negotiations, expected to start in December, will be the final stop for this legislation.

Contacts

Chloé Schwizgebel – chloe@fairresourcefoundation.org – +31 6 43 28 82 31 Alexis Eisenberg alexis.eisenberg@reloopplatform.org Miquel Roset miquel.roset@retorna.org

Download the position paper