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Feature | Separation System
Different ways
Outstanding performance by Austrian’s packaging recovery system
Since their foundation, the recovery systems in Austria
and Germany developed in parallel and were role models
for most recovery systems in other European countries.
However, a few years ago they began showing diverging
development. While the Austrian system for the most part
is acting the same by still following the principles of non-
profit, the German system has chosen another path to fol-
low. Instead of the non-profit orientation with sustainable
low prices, a profit-oriented competition of international
waste groups fight for customers.
Furthermore, the German government installed a deposit
system for disposable beverage packaging in 2003 which
failed completely to reach the goal of promoting reusable
packaging. These two major developments led to different
results for customers, consumers and the environment.
The Austrian Solution
“Since the beginning of the ARA System close cooperation
with all stakeholders was one of the major facts for our success,”
says Christian Stiglitz, CEO of the Austrian ARA AG.
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Christian Stiglitz
“For us it was clear that sustainable change of behav-
iour was only possible when all the involved groups where
willing to contribute their share. We invested a lot of effort in
educating trade, industry an municipalities affected by the
Austrian Packaging Ordinance. we also spent a lot of time
searching for strong partners in waste management. Last but
not least the consumers needed to recognise the purpose
and advantages of separating packaging and to be trained
on how to collect it properly.”
This experience was reached by looking at the already
existing collection systems in Germany and France. But this
wasn’t the only lesson learned. The Austrian legislators also
not only analysed already existing packaging laws but also
improved some of the regulations. For example, the Austri-
an packaging ordinance includes regulations for household
packaging and commercial and industrial packaging.
Distinctively favourable tariffs in Austria
As a privately run stock company, ARA was founded in 1993
and is owned by Altstoff Recycling Austria Verein – an asso-
ciation that also functions as the sole shareholder. Every
company that manufactures, imports or distributes packaged
products can become a member of this association
and participate in the decision-making process as ARA coowner.
Only companies belonging to the waste management
industry are excluded from membership to avoid conflict of
interest. At the moment, some 200 leading companies are
members of the association. The mission given to ARA by the
owners association has remained unchanged since 1993: to
fulfil the collection and recycling quotas at the lowest possible
sustainable cost to all customers.
This mission was the driving force during the first 15 years
and still is and therefore it is imperative that all possible
optimisations are implemented in collection and recy-