What applies now

The eight most important answers to the one-way deposit

From this year, disposable PET drinks bottles (and aluminum cans) will be subject to a deposit - if the deposit logo is affixed to the packaging.(Bild: © EdNurg - stock.adobe.com)

The new one-way deposit system for plastic bottles and aluminum cans is now in force in Austria. However, not every consumer knows exactly what applies to what and when. The "Krone" therefore has the answers to the eight most important questions.

In many European countries, a deposit has long been levied on disposable PET bottles. The pioneer here is Sweden, where it was introduced back in 1984. But our neighbor Germany has also been charging a 0.25 euro deposit on all disposable bottles since January 1, 2003.

As of this year, a deposit system for disposable PET beverage bottles and aluminum cans is now also in force in Austria. The "Krone" took a look at what this means for consumers in concrete terms and provides answers to the most important questions ...

Frage 1:

Ab wann gilt das neue Pfandsystem?

With immediate effect, the deposit applies to all disposable PET beverage bottles and aluminum cans bearing the new deposit logo.

For disposable plastic bottles and aluminum cans with the new deposit logo (in the middle of the graphic), a deposit of 25 cents per package will be charged with immediate effect.(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Frage 2:

Sind bereits alle PET-Flaschen und Alu-Dosen bepfandet?

No. Only very few retail containers currently have a deposit logo because there are transitional periods for manufacturers. Specifically, beverage bottlers are still allowed to deliver goods without a deposit logo to supermarkets until the end of March.

Frage 3:

Wie lange dürfen Produkte ohne Pfand-Logo verkauft werden?

Domestic supermarkets, snack bars and other stores (e.g. tobacconists) are still allowed to sell non-returnable PET bottles and aluminum cans without a deposit logo until the end of 2025 (provided the best-before date allows it).

Frage 4:

Darf man die Plastikflasche bzw. Alu-Dose zusammendrücken?

No. If you damage the container, for example by squeezing it, you "devalue" the product and will not get a deposit back. However, if the PET bottle has a (small) dent, this will not be a problem when taking it back. Of course, the deposit logo (as well as the EAN code) must be clearly recognizable.

Frage 5:

Wie hoch ist das Pfand?

Anyone who buys a disposable bottle or can with the new logo (see above) will have to pay 25 cents for it. For a tray with 24 cans, a deposit of six euros will be charged in addition to the purchase price.

For a tray with 24 cans, for example beer, a deposit of six euros will be due in future - provided it bears the deposit logo.(Bild: Brau Union)

Frage 6:

Wo kann ich die Gebinde zurückgeben?

One-way deposit packaging can be returned where it was issued. For example, if a food retailer sells 0.5 liter PET bottles of brand X, they must also take back 0.5 liter PET bottles, but also those of other brands. If a bakery, for example, only sells 0.33 liter aluminum cans, it must also only take back 0.33 liter aluminum cans. The supermarkets have invested many millions of euros in the conversion and in some cases have set up completely new return locations.

Frage 7:

Wie viele Verpackungen kann ich zurückgeben?

There are no restrictions for reverse vending machines, for example at large supermarkets. This is different for sales outlets with manual returns. Take bakeries, for example: on average, they sell one to three bottles per customer and therefore only have to take back these quantities. It doesn't matter whether I bought the drink from the take-back point or not.

Frage 8:

Wie lange wird es noch Getränke ohne Pfand geben?

As beverage manufacturers were allowed to produce goods without a deposit logo until December 31, 2024 and mineral water in PET bottles or energy drinks in aluminum cans, for example, have a shelf life of up to one year, there may even be containers without a deposit in stores until the end of 2025.