Pfand in Germany – A Guide to the Bottle Return System

Pfand in Germany: Sustainability in Action

Less waste, fewer disposable items: This was the goal associated with the introduction of the disposable deposit on January 1, 2003. Today, the Pfand system in Germany covers a wide range of beverage vessels, including plastic and glass bottles as well as aluminum cans. This expansion of the system has helped increase recycling rates and reduce littering. Overall, the Pfand system continues to play a crucial role in Germany’s efforts to promote sustainability and reduce waste. The success of the Pfand system has also inspired other countries to consider implementing similar measures to address their own waste management challenges.

What is Pfand?

The Pfand system in Germany is a deposit-refund system designed to promote recycling and reduce waste. When you purchase certain beverages in return bottles and cans, you pay a small deposit on top of the product price. This deposit for many bottles is indicated separately on the shelf’s price tag. Once you’ve consumed the product, you can return the empty container to a store or recycling center to receive a refund of the deposit.

The key idea behind Pfand is to incentivize consumers to return their empty containers rather than throwing them away. This helps ensure that the containers are recycled or reused, reducing the environmental impact of single-use containers and single-use packaging. The system has been highly successful in Germany, leading to high rates of can and bottle recycling.

Return Bottles in Germany: Deposit Amounts and Exemptions

In Germany, the Pfand (deposit) system plays a crucial role in promoting recycling and reducing waste. Here are the common deposit amounts for different types of multi-use return bottles in Germany:

Completing the confusion are beverages exempt from the deposit requirement. These include fruit juices, dairy products, many bottles of wine, and spirits. The icing on the cake is the regulation that bottles with more than 3 liters of content are generally exempt from the deposit requirement.

Types of Pfand Bottles

In Germany, Pfand is applied to two main types of beverage containers: single-use bottles, which are typically made of plastic or aluminum cans, and reusable bottles, which can be made of glass or plastic. Understanding the differences between these two types of return bottles is essential for consumers navigating the country’s recycling system.

Multi-Use Bottles

Reusable bottles, or Mehrwegflaschen, in Germany are designed to be refilled and reused multiple times, typically up to 50 cycles. These return bottles are usually made of glass or thicker plastic, ensuring durability for multiple uses. The refilling process for Mehrwegflaschen is subject to strict health regulations to maintain hygiene standards. When purchasing beverages in multi-use containers, consumers pay a deposit (Pfand) of 8 to 15 cents per bottle, which is refunded upon returning the empty bottle. Mehrwegflaschen can be identified by logos or words such as “Pfand-Glas”, “Mehrwegflasche”, or “Mehrweg-Pfandflasche”. Examples of reusable bottles include:

• Non-alcoholic glass bottles
• Beer bottles
• Thicker plastic soft drink bottles
• Yogurt glasses

Multi-Use Glass Bottles

Reusable glass return bottles in Germany require a deposit upon purchase and offer several advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage of glass vessels is their ability to be refilled up to 50 times, resulting in a long service life. However, their main drawback is their relatively heavy weight, which leads to higher transportation expenses and increased CO2 emissions. Despite this, return bottles are considered environmentally friendly due to their reusability and durability.

The following table outlines the advantages and disadvantages of multiple-use glass return bottles:

Multi-Use Plastic Bottles

Reusable plastic bottles, which also require a deposit, offer similar advantages and disadvantages to glass bottles. While they can only be refilled around 25 times, they are lighter than many bottles made of glass, resulting in lower transportation expenses and a more positive life cycle assessment. However, like glass vessels, they perform best when their transportation routes are short.

The following table outlines the advantages and disadvantages of reusable plastic bottles:

Single-Use Bottles

Single-use bottles in Germany, known as Einwegflaschen, are designed for one-time use and are recycled after being returned. Many bottles of that type are typically made of less stable plastic or aluminum. When purchasing beverages in this type of bottle, consumers pay a deposit (Pfand) of 25 cents per bottle, which is refunded upon returning the empty bottle. This system encourages recycling and reduces waste. Einwegflaschen can be identified by logos or words such as “Einweg” or “Einwegflasche”.

Single-Use Plastic Bottles and Cans: A Recycling Challenge

Single-use bottles made of plastic and cans in Germany have been subject to a mandatory deposit since 2003, with nearly all disposable plastic drink bottles and drinks cans included since the start of 2022. This deposit was implemented to curb the disposal of drinks packaging in the environment. However, the deposit does not ensure effective recycling of these items, as they cannot be directly reused. Instead, they must be shredded and processed further, which poses challenges for recycling efficiency. Despite this, the concept of the deposit is a step towards promoting sustainability in the packaging industry.

Disposable bottles, which cannot be cleaned and reused, carry a higher deposit compared to reusable multi-use containers and bottles. This higher deposit serves as a deterrent against purchasing less sustainable packaging. Examples of single-use bottles subject to this deposit include:

• Thin plastic bottles (0.25 Euro)
• Cans of soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite or Red Bull (0.25 Euro)

Single-Use Plastic Bottles: Downcycling Instead of Recycling

Recycling disposable bottles and cans poses challenges due to downcycling, where the material is reused for other purposes instead of being recycled into new bottles and cans. This occurs because the plastic in many bottles may be colored, or the glue on the labels of many bottles may not come off easily. As a result, the material is often used for non-bottle purposes, reducing the overall recycling efficiency of these items.

Non-Deposit Bottles

Bottles without a deposit, also known as non-deposit bottles, can still be recycled, but they do not require a deposit to be paid when purchased. These bottles include:

• Milk cartons: These go in the yellow recycling bin. Note that plastic milk bottles usually have a deposit.
• Most wine bottles: These go in the glass recycling bins resp. glass containers.
• Containers with the Grüne Punkt (Green Dot) logo: These go in the yellow recycling bin.
• Bottles purchased in other countries: These should be disposed of according to the local recycling guidelines.

Pfand Bottle Identification: Here’s How

Disposable bottles or cans subject to a deposit must be clearly marked by the manufacturer in a visible location. The Packaging Act mandates that retailers display clear signage indicating whether the beverage packaging is single-use (Einweg) or multiple-use (Mehrweg).

In the following paragraphs, we will explain the different logos used to indicate bottles subject to a deposit.

Single-Use

Bottles with the logo are filled once, shredded and recycled after being returned. They are almost always made of PET plastic, and their walls are somewhat thinner than those of returnable bottles. Return machines are often available in shops. Ecologically less sensible than reusable bottles.

Multi-Use

PET bottles with this logo are refilled up to 25 times, glass bottles even up to 50 times. Reusable bottles are considered the most environmentally friendly packaging. If they are made of glass, they should ideally come from the region.

PETCycle

This deposit system is still relatively unknown. In simple terms, it involves disposable PET bottles (plastic bottle) in returnable crates. Each plastic bottle consists of 50 percent recycled PET. Regional bottlers and recycling companies are supposed to guarantee short transportation routes with this system.

Green Dot

No deposit bottle, is disposed of in the glass container or yellow garbage can, depending on where you live. Green dot (Grüner Punkt) packaging should be collected so that it can be recycled. From an ecological perspective, less favorable than disposable and reusable packaging.

Return Policy: How and Where to Return Pfand Bottles

Stores that sell Pfand containers are required to accept returns for those specific containers, but they are not required to accept container types they do not sell. For instance, retailers like Aldi and Lidl, which sell only single-use (Einweg) bottles, do not accept multiple-use (Mehrweg) bottles. Larger stores, over 200 m², must accept containers from all brands, not just the ones they sell.

In general, you can return your Pfand Bottles to the store where you purchased them. Every store selling many bottles and cans with a deposit must accept returns for the types of containers they sell. To be accepted for return, the bottles must be in their original condition, without being crushed or lacking a label.

Supermarket

Returning Pfand bottles at the supermarket or grocery store is a common practice in Germany. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Locate the bottle return machine

Look for a bottle return machine (Pfandautomat) at the supermarket. These bottle return machines are usually located near the entrance or at the back of the store. They can be identified by their design, which typically includes a slot for inserting bottles and cans.

Step 2: Insert the bottle

Insert your bottle into the bottle return machine. The machine will scan the barcode or label on the bottle to determine its deposit value so that you can get your money back resp. deposit back.

Step 3: Collect the coupon

The machine will then print a coupon. Take this coupon to the cash register to get your money back resp. receive your Pfand refund.

Step 4: Use the receipt

If the Pfand machine is not functioning correctly, you can hand your bottle to the cashier for your deposit return. However, this process may take longer as the cashier will need to manually process the refund.

Returning Pfand bottles at the supermarket or grocery store is a convenient way to help the environment and get a refund on your deposit.

Pfand Return Options Beyond the Supermarket

Discovering additional locations to return your Pfand bottles can be convenient and beneficial. Beyond supermarkets and grocery stores, several other places accept Pfand returns, providing you with more flexibility and options, to get your money back resp deposit back from the cash register. Whether you’re near a beverage store, petrol station, or even a kiosk, knowing these locations can simplify the process and make returning your bottles more accessible.

Beverage Store (Getränkemarkt)

Return your crates and beer or glass water bottles to a beverage store. These stores typically accept returns of containers and crates, ensuring they are properly recycled or refilled.

Spätkauf & Kiosk

While you can return empty bottles at a kiosk, it’s best not to make it a habit of returning large stocks of bottles there. Kiosks may not have the capacity to handle large volumes of returns, and it’s more appropriate to return them at dedicated locations like supermarkets or beverage stores.

Petrol Station

You can return your empty bottles and receive your Pfand refund at any gas station. Gas stations often ha ve a dedicated area or counter where you can return your bottles and receive your refund.

Donate

Some cities have Pfand donation machines that accept used bottles and donate the Pfand to charity. Look out for these machines in places like Frankfurt airport. Donating your Pfand is a great way to support charitable causes while also recycling your bottles.

FAQ about Deposit Bottles in Germany