Materials

The German deposit scheme on drinks packaging is failing to achieve its objectives, an industry study has found.

The research found that the use of refillable packaging fell from 58% to 53% in the four years following the start of the scheme in January 2003, while there were "only very minor improvements" in carbon emissions as a result of the scheme.

Swiss consultancy firm Prognos, which carried out the study, said the scheme had achieved a reduction in carbon emissions of half a million tonnes.

When compared with the cost of €640m (£515m at today's prices), the scheme rated "among the most expensive measures for carbon dioxide abatement": €1,300 per tonne.

The Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging (Apeal), Ball Packaging Europe and Dutch metal packaging recycling association SKB commissioned the study into the scheme.

The scheme requires all non-refillable drinks packaging of less than three litres to carry a refundable deposit of €0.25.

Prognos said that drinks packaging made only a small contribution to littering and recorded that there was no significant decrease in littering during the period under consideration.

However, the cost of the scheme, including staffing and implementing necessary machinery, was "ultimately passed on to and borne by the end consumer".

Of the material manufacturers, glass and metal packaging suffered, while there had been gains for plastic and cardboard, the study said.