Why was the depot for drinks bottles abolished in Switzerland? I can dimly remember that there was one in the 90s (at least on glass bottles, I'm not sure about PET). Wouldn't the return rates be much better if a depot were reintroduced? It works very well in Scandinavia, with automatic redemption through special containers.
Good morning @Simon3047
Everything is regulated in the Ordinance on Beverage Packaging (VGV) 814 .621.
Art.8 Measures in the event of an insufficient recycling rate
1The recycling rate for beverage packaging made of glass, PET and aluminum should be at least 75 percent each. The recycling rate of a packaging material is the percentage of packaging recycled during a calendar year in relation to the total weight of single-use packaging made of this material that is disposed of for domestic use.
2If the recycling rate is not achieved, DETEC may impose obligations on distributors, manufacturers and importers:
a.
to levy a minimum deposit on single-use packaging made of the materials concerned;
b.
to take back such packaging against reimbursement of the deposit; and
c.
to recycle the packaging taken back at its own expense.
3DETEC may restrict the deposit requirement to packaging that is the main cause of the inadequate recycling rate. It may make exceptions to the deposit requirement if the recovery of the packaging is ensured by other means.
4If manufacturers and importers dispose of more than 100 tons of recyclable single-use packaging made of a packaging material other than glass, PET, aluminium or PVC each year, DETEC may also stipulate a minimum recycling rate and measures in accordance with paragraph 2 for this material.
Best regards
Frederica
The machines also don't accept flattened bottles, which wastes a lot of space. However, a deposit could be introduced for glass bottles, which would perhaps reduce the number of broken glass bottles and shards on the floor.
