deposit system beverages austria

Deposit in Austria: Introduction of a deposit system for single-use beverage containers from 2025

From 1 January 2025, a deposit system will be introduced in Austria for certain types of single-use beverage containers. The aim of this measure is to significantly increase collection rates and optimise the recycling of used raw materials. This development is in line with the efforts of many European countries that have already implemented similar systems or are about to introduce them – with Scandinavia as a pioneer in recycling and environmental protection. 

The new deposit system was decided as part of the amendment to the Waste Management Act (AWG), which was published in the Federal Law Gazette on 10 December 2021. Detailed regulations for its planning and implementation are laid down in the Austrian Deposit Regulation (PfandVO), which came into force on 26 September 2023.

Why a deposit system in Austria?

The new deposit system is designed not only to increase recycling rates, but also to counteract littering, i.e. the careless littering of the countryside and streets. Although Austria is considered one of the cleanest countries in the world and has a well-functioning waste management system, more than 1,000 tonnes of rubbish still end up in nature every year. In particular, the Federal Environment Agency regularly documents an increase in the careless disposal of waste along roads and in public places..

Deposit systems have proven to be an extremely effective measure against littering. The reason: since consumers pay a deposit when they buy, they usually return the packaging to get their money back. This is how the containers are returned to the material cycle and can be recycled to a high standard.

The Austrian deposit system aims to achieve a collection rate of 80 per cent by 2025. This rate is expected to increase to 90 per cent by 2027. International comparisons show that these figures are realistic. Countries with established deposit systems, such as Germany or the Scandinavian countries, achieve similar results. 

Which products are affected? 

The deposit system covers all disposable drinks packaging with a volume of 0.1 to 3.0 litres – regardless of whether it is plastic bottles or tins and metal bottles. However, there are some exceptions:

  • syrups
  • drink bottles for baby food
  • drink bottles for liquid food for special medical purposes
  • daily rations for weight-controlling nutrition
  • milk and milk products with a milk content of over 51 percent

As mentioned above, milk and milk products with a milk content of over 51 percent (e.g. whey and yoghurt drinks) are still excluded. In Germany, however, the deposit requirement has already been extended to these products, so it is to be expected that Austria will follow suit.

From 1 January 2025, the deposit will be a standard 0.25 euros per packaging unit, regardless of size and material. The packaging units concerned will be marked with a special barcode (GTIN) and the official deposit symbol to enable easy return to vending machines or collection points.

Deposits as a challenge for manufacturers and retailers 

The deposit system brings with it new obligations for manufacturers and importers. All companies that want to sell single-use beverage containers in Austria must register themselves and their products with the central office. Since 10 June 2024, this registration has been possible via an online portal. Without registration, the products cannot be collected and correctly processed by reverse vending machines or other collection points.

From 1 January 2025, beverages subject to deposit may only be sold including the deposit fee. The fee is paid to the central office. In addition, companies have to pay a producer fee to finance the deposit system. This fee is based on ecological criteria, i.e. the recyclability of the packaging. The better the packaging can be recycled and the fewer raw materials are used, the lower the fee.

However, to make the changeover easier, a transitional period will apply: from 1 January 2025 until the end of 2025, products subject to a deposit may still be sold without a deposit logo and new GTIN if they were filled before 1 April 2025. 

Food retailers are prepared 

The food retail industry has already converted a large proportion of its reverse vending machines in its branches for the deposit system. This is to ensure that the return of the packaging subject to deposit will work smoothly from the start of the system. The rest of the retail industry is also preparing intensively for the manual return and is currently taking all precautions to ensure that the return process can be made efficient from 2025. This includes training staff, adapting branch structures and providing the necessary infrastructure.

At the same time, beverage manufacturers and importers must also prepare their products for the deposit system and ensure that they are properly labelled with the deposit symbol and the corresponding barcodes. Product registration has been running since June 2024, and since September 2024, it has also been possible for collection points to register with the new system. These comprehensive preparations are intended to ensure that the deposit system starts efficiently from January 2025 and that the desired collection rates are achieved.

Deposit is the next step towards a sustainable circular economy 

With the introduction of the deposit system, Austria is sending a strong signal in favour of environmental protection and a circular economy. By recovering valuable raw materials and reducing littering, the country will make an important contribution to protecting its environment. Even if the deposit requirement does not initially cover all product categories, it is likely that the system will be further expanded in the coming years. Austria could thus serve as a model for other European countries that are still in the early stages of introducing deposits.

The deposit system is an important step towards a more sustainable circular economy in which waste no longer ends up in nature but flows back into the production cycle as recyclable material. With its successful introduction from 2025, Austria will achieve another milestone in environmental protection.

To understand more about your extended producer responsibilities in Austria, start our Quick Check and open a Free Circular Pro Account.