International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

experiences with the nationwide return system. Around 70 % however were not
satisfied with the way in which the retail markets were applying the system.
According to an inquiry by the Bielefelder market research institute on behalf of the
working group packaging and environment, the new deposit regulation, which became
effective on 1 st of October 2003, is a failure. The institute had asked 600 households
via telephone between 2 nd and 6 th of October. According to the study 78 % of the
German households are of the opinion that the new system of one-way packaging did
not improve the situation in relation to the pre-existing system. 52 % pronounced that
they were in favour of an abolishment of the deposit obligation. 26 % of respondents
criticised some shops for refusing to take back packaging or to pay back the deposit.
36% feel the return of empty cans and bottles is annoying. 28 % complained about
delays at the till. 51% buy fewer or no cans, or one-way packages, because of the
deposits. 385
Over several years the German Council of Environmental Advisors
(“Sachverständigenrat für Umweltfragen, SRU”) reached the conclusion that the
deposit system for one-way containers should be withdrawn. The SRU regard the
deposit as ecologically ineffective and economically inefficient. 386 Under the current
legal climate, after the amendment of the packaging ordinance, the SRU sees further
possibilities to encourage reusable systems to meet environmental and economic
objectives. 387
The facts show that in terms of prevention, the major impact has been a material
switch from cans to (reusable) glass for beer. Also, probably facilitated by parallel
technological change, there has been a change to PET bottles, which now account for
76% of the drinks container market, which is split into 63% one-way and 13%
reusable.
The key success and failure factors of the policy for one-way deposits are:
348
� Standardised deposit regulation (no differentiation by content of beverage);
� A standardised level of deposit (25 euro cents); and
� A nationwide deposit-return system.
No variation in the implementation of the Ordinance across Germany was identified.
17.12 Prerequisites for Introduction
These are the essential elements that are required for this particular policy to be
introduced:
� Political willingness;
385 EUWID, No. 43 from October 2003, p.8.
386 Council of Environmental Advisors (SRU), Environmental Report 2002 (“Umweltgutachten”), p. 411.
387 SRU, Environmental Report 2004, p. 350.
29/09/09