Sweden is increasing the deposit on cans and PET bottles to encourage recycling, with the aim of reaching a 90% recycling rate. The deposit will rise from one to two kronor for small containers and from two to three kronor for larger ones. This change, the first in 15 years for cans, aims to balance consumer incentives and environmental goals.
Sweden Doubles Deposit on Cans and PET Bottles to Boost Recycling
Sweden Doubles Deposit on Cans and PET Bottles
Sweden is increasing the deposit on cans and PET bottles from one krona to two. However, the transition period, during which both the higher and lower deposit amounts will be in circulation, will be lengthy.
– The amount stated on the packaging is what applies, says Katarina Lundell, Marketing and Communications Manager at Returpack/Pantamera.
The deposit will rise from one to two kronor on small PET bottles and cans, and from two to three kronor on large PET bottles.
Old packaging can be returned for deposit two years after the last sale date.
Hundreds of Articles Affected
Approximately 11,000 different articles are affected, but only a few hundred will have the higher deposit amount from the start.
The increase in the deposit on cans is the first in 15 years, and for PET bottles, it has never been raised before.
Setting the right deposit amount is a balancing act: If the deposit is too high, beverages in deposit packaging may struggle to compete with those in other packaging. If the deposit is too low, customers may not find it worth the effort to use the deposit machine.
Currently, 87.5% of deposit packaging is recycled, and the goal of the deposit increase is to reach at least 90%.
– We have said that we will achieve the 90% target with a margin, says Katarina Lundell.
Downward Trend
There is some concern among non-profit organizations: Will fewer people press the donation button when the deposit increases?
It could also be that more money from the deposit system will go to charitable causes.
– There is both hope and concern from our side, says Rebecka Elmgren Lindmark, Press Officer for Vi-skogen.
Last year, Vi-skogen received over 5.6 million kronor through Coop customers choosing the donation button in deposit machines. However, for Vi-skogen, the trend is downward. This may be due to more people scrutinizing their finances to make ends meet, believes Rebecka Elmgren Lindmark.
– While we are grateful that so many choose to press the donation button, it is a concern we raise – we rely on donations from the public, she says.