| Law Summary | THE PRODUCT CONTROL ACT puts deposits on all packaging, to limit pollution and waste by encouraging the use of refillables | ||||||||||||||||
| Date Implemented | 1997 (updated 1999) | ||||||||||||||||
| Containers Covered | All one-way beverage containers | ||||||||||||||||
| Beverages Covered |
The regulation does not regulate the type of beverage product. |
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| Refundable Deposit |
Plastic, metal ≤ 0.5l: 2 NOK Plastic, metal > 0.5l: 3 NOK [1] |
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| Unredeemed Deposits | Retained by Infinitum (system operator) | ||||||||||||||||
| Handling fees |
RVM with compaction:
Manual or RVM without compaction:
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| Other Fees | There is a one-time registration fee for the scheme operated by Infinitum, along with a basic tax applied to every container and an environmental tax which changes with the return rate (some exceptions apply, see details below). The latest basic and environmental tax can be found here. | ||||||||||||||||
| Program Success |
Redemption Rates
*The 2016 metal redemption rate is for cans specifically. |
Details
Under the 1974 Product Control Act, a “Product Charge” (tax) was levied on all packaging including non-refillable beverage containers.
In 1993, new regulations were adopted whereby the amount of the tax (Environment Tax) on beverage containers is determined by the return rate. The full product charge is applied to containers with return rates below 25%. Return rates between 25% and 95% are charged a tax that is inversely proportional to the return rate (the lower the return rate, the higher the tax). Containers reaching return rates above 95% are exempt from the tax. The tax itself also varies by the material type (glass and metal, plastic, cardboard).Powder beverages and breast milk substitutes are exempt from the Environment Tax. [3]
In 1994, an additional tax of 0.70 NOK was imposed on all one-way beverage containers in addition to the product charge regardless of the return rate. This tax, called the Basic Tax, has since been applied to all single-use packaging, and has been raised to keep up with inflation (As of February 2021, it is NOK 1.27). [4]
Incineration with energy recovery is accepted as a form of recycling, but only in cases where reuse and conventional recycling are not feasible.
Members of Norsk Glassgjenvinning A/S, Nowary's glass recycling federation, pay a voluntary recycling fee of NOK 0.06 – NOK 0.15 for each glass container they sell. The glass is collected in special bins and recycled at a central location. As a result, members receive a 75% reduction in the product charge.
Footnotes
[1] "Global Deposit Book 2020: An Overview of Deposit Systems for One-Way Beverage Containers." Reloop Inc. December 15, 2020.
[2] "Infinitum Annual Report 2019 {English}." Infinitum AS. 2020.
[3] "Beverage Packaging." The Norwegian Tax Administration. Last Accessed February 13, 2020.
[4] Ibid.
Last Updated on September 28, 2023.