German waste association pushes for glass bottle deposit hike amid industry pushback

GERMANY – A leading German trade group for municipal waste services has urged an adjustment to the deposit on reusable glass bottles, aiming to address rising litter in urban areas. 

The Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU) proposed maintaining the deposit’s value against inflation, which has left it unchanged at €0.8 (US$0.94) for over two decades.

VKU representatives noted that this nominal tweak would strengthen incentives for returns without imposing new costs on consumers. 

“The deposit hasn’t changed in over 20 years, and inflation has eroded its value, weakening its incentive effect,” a VKU spokesperson told reporters. 

They added that refillable glass remains a top sustainable choice for beverages, and better returns would enhance its edge over single-use options.

This call comes as cities report more discarded bottles in public spots, with municipal teams handling increased cleanup. 

The VKU emphasized that refunds eliminate any financial strain, pointing to higher deposits on single-use plastics that have not deterred low-income users.

Opposition emerged swiftly from beverage producers. 

The German Mineral Water Association (VDM) defended the existing setup, which achieves 98% to 99% return rates for beverages, according to data from the Federal Environmental Agency. 

Jürgen Reichle, VDM managing director, stated that litter concerns lack supporting evidence.

“Neither VKU nor anybody else has provided data on an alleged increase of pollution through littering by reusable bottles,” he said.

Reichle attributed part of the debate to Austria’s recent deposit rise, which addressed lower return rates there, unlike Germany’s established system.

He noted a two-year industry study that identified legal and financial hurdles from any change, including accounting complexities for firms.

Other groups, including the German Brewers Association and the Federal Association of German Beverage Wholesalers, echoed these reservations. 

They highlighted the deposit-refund system’s role in Europe’s highest reuse levels for glass, a material prized for its recyclability.

In a related development, the VDM plans to export its model to other nations seeking improved beverage reuse. 

Meanwhile, Germany’s deposit system faced separate scrutiny this month when the Verband Sozialer Wettbewerb sued Munich-based gin maker The Duke for non-compliance on non-alcoholic packaging rules.

The VKU countered that its proposal stems from direct feedback from waste operators, not external influences. 

A spokesperson clarified that the group seeks collaboration to ensure adjustments cut litter effectively. 

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