Singapore
Name Beverage Container Return Scheme [1] Date Implemented April 1, 2026 with a “transition period” until September 30, 2026. Containers Covered All prepackaged containers in plastic and metal containers from 150 mL to 3L. Glass is excluded. Beverages Covered All pre-packaged beverages, including water, soft drinks, juices, dairy, juice concentrates/cordials, and alcohol. [2] Amount of Deposit 10¢ […]
United Kingdom
Details England & Northern Ireland On March 28, 2018, the United Kingdom’s Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced that a beverage container deposit return program will be introduced, subject to a consultation process to determine the details of the law and program operation. [1] Public consultation on the implementation of the program opened […]
Finland
Finland has two laws dealing with beverage container recycling. One levies a tax on non-refillable containers, and one offers a refundable deposit as an alternative to the tax. Waste Management Act (646/2011) Law Summary Exempts certain containers with refundable deposits from the tax Date Implemented 1996 (Cans) / 2008 (PET) / 2012 (Glass) Containers Covered […]
Ireland
Name Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, As Part of The Single Use Plastics Directive (2021) Date Implemented February 1, 2024 [1] Regulations Separate Collection Regulations 2021, SI 599 of 2021 Containers Covered Any beverage containers between 150 ml – 3L made of the following materials?: Plastic Aluminum Steel Containers Not Covered Any glass beverage […]
Poland
Law Summary Act on packaging management and packaging waste Date Enacted August 30, 2023 Date Implemented October 1, 2025 [1] Containers Covered PET bottles up to 3L Metal cans up to 1L Glass bottles up to 1.5L Beverages Covered TBD Beverages Not Covered TBD Containers Covered TBD Amount of Deposit 50 groszy for PET bottles […]
Spain
Law Royal Decree 1055/2022 of December 27, on packaging and packaging waste [1] Date Implemented 12/27/2022 (DRS set to be implemented in 2026 – see details below). Containers Covered Plastic Bottles < 3L Aluminum Cans Beverages Covered Mineral and spring water Juices Nectars Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable mixes Squashes (Concentrated fruit juice diluted with […]
Austria
Austria has two laws dealing with beverage container deposits: the 1990 Order puts a deposit on refillable plastic bottles, while the 2021 Amendment puts a deposit on single-use containers. Each piece of legislation has its own labeled table; see below for the two separate laws. 2021 Government Decision on Single-Use Deposit Return System Law Summary […]
Sweden
Name of Program SFS 2005:220 Ordinance on the Return System for Plastic Bottles and Metal Cans Replaced by: SFS 2022:1274 Ordinance on Producer Responsibility for Packaging Law Summary The ordinance sets up comprehensive extended producer responsibility rules for packaging that includes a deposit return system for plastic bottles and aluminum cans, as well as minimum […]
Romania
Law Summary Government Emergency Ordinance No. 1074/2018 Date Implemented November 30, 2023 Containers Covered Containers between 0.1L and 3L made of: Glass Plastic Metal Beverages Covered Juices and nectars Carbonated soft drinks Still water Mineral and flavored water Beer and beer mixes Cider Wine and spirits Alcoholic drink mixes Amount of Deposit 0.50 RON Fees […]
The Netherlands
Law Summary 2003 Verpakkingsverordening Productschap Dranken (“Packaging Management Decree”) Date Implemented Enacted in 2004, implemented in 2005 Containers & Beverages Covered Plastic containers and metal cans <1 L [1]: Water Soft drinks Refundable Deposit PET plastic bottles: €0.15 (US $0.28) Refillable glass beer bottles: €0.10 (US $0.11) Handling Fees VBR: 0.06250€ ($0.071) per bottle Unclaimed […]