German take-back sees return of cans

Sales of drinks in metal cans have been in decline since a compulsory deposit of 25 cents (17p) on one-way containers came into force in 2003.

However, following a nationwide agreement, signed on May 1, 2006, German retailers now have to accept returned beverage packaging made from the same types of material – PET, glass or metal – as they offer in their own assortment.

“Since the start of the take-back system we have seen a clear upward trend in can sales,” said John Hayes (pictured), president of German-based Ball Packaging Europe. “But I believe the German market needs more time to recover, especially in view of the fact that, to date, only about one-third of the reverse vending machines required for one-way containers have been installed in the supermarkets and consumers still need to get used to the new take-back system.”

Wine, milk, fruit and vegetable juices remain exempt from the non-returnable deposit, as do packs that are classified as ‘ecologically friendly’, such as drinks cartons, PE flow-wrap tubes and stand-up flexible pouches.

According to research from Beverage Can Makers Europe (BCME), more than 85 per cent of the German population is in favour of the new regulation. The BCME is now promoting the take-back system with ‘Can Open’, the first large-scale advertising campaign ever to be conducted for cans within Germany.

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