DPG 20th Anniversary – EU Commission and the Federal Ministry for the Environment praise the success of the German deposit system for one-way beverage Packaging

Berlin/19 June 2026. The DPG deposit system is celebrating its anniversary and, twenty years after its introduction, can look back on a thoroughly positive track record. At the anniversary celebrations in Berlin on 17 June 2026, the European Commission and the Federal Ministry emphasised the importance of the German deposit system for a functioning circular economy. The facts also bear this out: The return of beverage packaging subject to a single-use deposit has long since become second nature to consumers in Germany. Return rates of 96 per cent and above demonstrate the system’s high level of acceptance and reliability in everyday life. Around 20 billion items of packaging are returned to the circular economy each year. Valuable materials are preserved and can be reused to make new products.

DThe German one-way deposit system is a success story made possible by the collaboration between the retail sector and the drinks industry, together with consumers in Germany. The nationwide, standardised DPG deposit system for one-way beverage packaging has been in place since May 2006. A year earlier, the retail sector and the drinks industry had jointly founded Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH (DPG), thereby taking on the challenge posed by the mandatory deposit scheme – which had been decided back in 2003 – and the extended take-back obligation for single-use beverage packaging in the drinks market, due to come into force on 1 May 2006. The aim was to establish a standardised, efficient yet streamlined deposit system that would involve all market participants appropriately and in line with their respective strengths.

In her digital message to mark the anniversary, Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for the Environment, Resilient Water Supply and a Competitive Circular Economy, praised the high return rates of the DPG deposit system as a model for the rest of Europe:

“For 20 years, people in Germany have been guided by the concept of the circular economy. All packaging – whether glass bottles, plastic bottles or aluminium cans – should be sent for recycling in order to increase efficiency, reduce waste and protect the environment. This has become an integral part of life in German towns, villages and communities.”

The DPG deposit system shows how a well-functioning deposit and return system can offer both economic opportunities and environmental benefits.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety also recognised the importance of the German one-way deposit system. Antje von Broock, Head of the Department for Circular Economy, Air Pollution Control and Chemical Safety, said:

“The deposit-refund system makes a very important contribution to the circular economy today. Experience has shown that this is a successful scheme that must be maintained. And this is due not least to the work of the DPG.”

DPG Managing Director Susanne Kürschner emphasised:

„Following the initial set-up phase, we have, together with our partners, consistently succeeded not only in maintaining the stability of the DPG deposit system, but also in making it even more efficient – resilient, future-proof and scalable. We will bring this experience to bear in our discussions on long-term, sustainable solutions across Europe.”

For the anniversary celebrations on the banks of the Spree in Berlin on 17 June 2026, the DPG had invited around 200 guests from the worlds of politics, business and society, but above all representatives of the many organisations involved in the system. With around 20 billion items of packaging per year, the German deposit-return system is currently the largest one-way deposit-return system in the EU. As a founding member and board member of the European Deposit Return Systems Association (EDRSA), the DPG also contributes its expertise, gained from 20 years of operating the system, to the European dialogue.

Marcus Rohde, Chair of the DPG Advisory Board, emphasises:

“Industry and the retail sector have always been committed to stable, fair and cooperative partnership between all stakeholders. For many years, the German model has also attracted attention in a European and global context and has inspired stakeholders in the circular economy to further develop deposit-return systems.“

Clear standards and strong partners

As the system operator, the DPG organises the nationwide, standardised deposit system for single-use beverage packaging in Germany. By applying uniform standards, it provides legal certainty for all parties involved and lays the foundation for smooth processes between all stakeholders. A deposit security label developed by the DPG guarantees reliability in the return process. As a lean, high-performing organisation, the DPG thus ensures that the system operates stably without itself being actively involved in the deposit and material cycle.

The operational implementation is in the hands of market participants: drawing on their expertise, they manage the deposit cycle for single-use beverage packaging on a daily basis. More than 1,000 companies are currently affiliated with the DPG System as participants and partners. Within the framework of the DPG’s reliable standards, they, too, are constantly refining their processes. They are a cornerstone of the DPG deposit system.
This combination of clear system rules and entrepreneurial implementation has been the key to the success of the German one-way deposit system for two decades. Consumers confirm this day in, day out, by the millions, through their consistent return of beverage containers subject to a deposit.