In an article published on April 30, 2019, news provider Euractiv reported on an alliance of German non-governmental organizations (NGOs), beverage associations, and waste industries that have called for the German government to set binding quotas for reusable beverage packaging. Led by the NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe, the alliance is concerned that Germany will not reach its self-imposed national target of 70% of beverage packaging being reusable by 2022. The new packaging rules came into effect at the start of this year (FPF reported), however currently only 43% of beverage packaging is reported as being reusable with this number on a downwards trend.
Dirk Reinsberg is the managing director of the German Association of the Beverage Wholesale Industry and told a press conference “unfortunately, we cannot appreciate the environment minister’s efforts that aim to achieve this quota. To achieve it, she should be holding the industry and the market accountable.” The alliance has now called for progressive, binding quotas of 50% this year and for 60% next year that help to achieve the target of 70%. Specific brands and discount supermarkets in Germany such as Aldi, Lidl, Danone, Nestlé and Lekkerland were cited by Deutsche Umwelthilfe as being resistant to implementing reusable packaging systems. The NGO also called on consumers to change their behavior and proposed introduction of an additional charge on disposable bottles on top of the already existing bottle deposit.
Read more
Florence Schulz (April 30, 2019). “German associations call for binding reusable packaging quotas.” Euractiv
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (April 2019). “Forderungspapier zum Mehrwegschutz.” (pdf) (in German)
