Beverage container deposit system in Latvia turns one year old - bnn-news.com

The system’s operator – Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators LLC – reports that since the launch of the system last year, residents in Latvia have deposited more than 250 million empty beverage containers at 1 400 collection points across the country.

This is more than an average of 130 beverage containers returned per capita. Growth is also observed for container return indexes. In the firs six months following the start of the system residents returned 83.3 million containers, whereas between August 2022 and January 2023 residents returned 166.7 million containers.

The system as helped process more than 3 750 tonnes of PET containers, 3 800 tonnes of glass, 1 000 tonnes of aluminium, and seven tonnes of steel.

More than 46.4 million glass bottles have been returned to beverage producers so far.

«Thanks to the six months-long transition period, producers have been able to successfully adapt to the new system. At the same time, the transition period can be considered the main reason why we still have not reached the planned 70% collection goal for plastic containers,» comments Latvian State Environment Service’s Director General Elita Baklāne-Ansberga.

At the start of the project opposition was the strongest among merchants. Fortunately, it seems they have successfully overcome challenges. Nevertheless, certain businesses have ignored the requirement of Latvian legislation to accept used containers, stresses the head of VVD.

«Results of a study performed in October indicate that 93% of Latvian households use the deposit system. This is why I would like to express my gratitude to all users of the deposit system that help take care of Latvia’s environment. This year one of the operators biggest tasks will be ensuring expanded deposit system’s entry to the market. We hope residents will get used the changes quickly, so that we can all gather and process an even larger volume of containers,» says Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators LLC board chairman Miks Stūrītis.

«Expanded coverage of the deposit system» means that from June 2023 onward the deposit system is to accept containers of syrup and alcoholic cocktails (alcohol concentration under 15%), glass, plastic (PET) and cans, as well as plastic bottles (PET) of all forms of alcoholic beverages or cans bearing the proper deposit system compatibility label.

While in the first year of the deposit system more than 250 million container units were returned, beverage producers and importers released a total of 366.8 million deposit products on the market. Available data indicates that the container return dynamic has stabilised after the initial six-month period and return indexes now exceed 80%.

The biggest volume of deposited containers is observed in Riga and Pieriga, where residents have handed over more than half (54.1%) of all containers returned to the deposit system. In Vidzeme and Kurzeme residents deposited 15.3% and 13% of all containers respectively. The lowest volume is observed in Zemgale and Latgale – 8.8% and 8.7% respectively.

Analysis of data regarding different groups of products shows that beer containers are in the lead when it comes to returning to the deposit system (67%), followed by water bottles (66%). Wine bottles are the least often returned beverage containers (23%). There are multiple reasons for that – these beverages were fitted with deposit labels fairly late and after the end of the transition period. On top of that, the consumption model and target audience of these beverages differ.

The State Environment Service monitors the container deposit system and compliance of collection points to various requirements.

Also read: Packaging deposit system comes online in Latvia today. How does it work?

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