Useful Information
Industry Organization Formed: The European Deposit Return Systems Association (EDRSA)
Europe's leading deposit return systems operators and industry stakeholders have officially launched the European Deposit Return Systems Association (EDRSA), a new association dedicated to advancing best practices, policy development, and collaboration in the field of deposit return systems (DRS) within Europe. The DPG, operator of the nationwide German one-way deposit system, is one of the founding members and was also elected as a board member.
Implementing EU requirements at national level
As has been expected, on December 16, 2024, the European Council officially adopted the version of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) that had previously been approved by the European Parliament in April. The new 71 articles of the regulation set ambitious reuse targets, tighten the requirements for single-use packaging and oblige market players to reduce packaging to the necessary minimum.
The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and its role in the DPG system
The bottle turns a few times to the left, then to the right, and is finally transported inside on the RVM’s conveyor belt – and in those RVMs with the latest technology, the bottles do not even need to be rotated! For most people this is an everyday situation when they return their deposit. The DPG logo and the barcode with the corresponding number on the label pave the way for the packaging to enter the RVM. A compartment opens, the bottle is swallowed and finally you can hear a crunch. Once scanned and registered, the bottle is crumpled up for easier transport and has entered a phase in the recycling system. But what does the mysterious number under the barcode on the label mean?
Technological top performers
Modern RVMs accomplish astonishing things
Our collected single-use bottles or cans disappear into the flashing shaft of the RVM. Then, occasionally, you hear a soft crunch. After a final push of the button, a perfectly calculated deposit receipt slides into your hand within seconds. How does it work? Or rather, why doesn't it work – for example, when we want to exchange the "wrong" packaging for deposit money?
Preliminary agreement on key compromises for a European Packaging Regulation
The plans for a Europe-wide mandatory deposit went one step ahead – what is the current state?
After more than four years of intensive discussions, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have agreed on a provisional version of a new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in the trilogue procedure.
Like many other market and system participants, the DPG was involved in the preparation of the specifications with proposals.