| Name of Legislation |
Resolution No. 7 "On gradually reducing the use of polymer packaging" [1] |
| Date Implemented | Passed 1/13/2020; expected to be implemented 2022 [2] |
| Containers Covered |
|
| Beverages Covered | All beverages except dairy-based products |
| Refundable Deposit |
TBD |
| Unclaimed deposits |
TBD |
| Handling Fee |
TBD |
| Redemption Rate | N/A |
Details
In 2017, Belarus published a National Strategy leading up to 2035 to outline the country's plans for municipal solid waste management. As part of these plans, the establishment of a deposit return scheme (DRS) was deemed advantageous to the current system. According to the National Strategy, the DRS will "include disposable consumer packages made of glass, PET and metal (1.8 billion packages per year according to estimates), except for packages intended for socially important goods, including baby food and dairy products." [3]
In 2018, Remondis Ltd. was announced to be in charge of creating the scheme in collaboration with the Belarusian government. [4] An investor was sought out from April to July 2019, in accordance with Resolution No. 239, with a draft strategy expected by the end of the year. [5] In January 2020, the Council of Ministers passed Resolution No.7, which would ban certain types of single-use polymer plastic, such as single-use tableware, in favor of developing eco-friendly packaging. The decree also included the stipulation of a return scheme. [6] The scheme is expected to be implemented in 2022; it was initially expected to commence in 2021.
Footnotes
[1] "Single-use plastic plates, cutlery and food packaging will be banned in Belarus from January 2021." Kazana-Wisniowiecki, Joanna. UN Office of Belarus. January 17, 2020.
[2] "Plans to introduce deposit-refund system for consumer packaging in Belarus need more polish." Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA). March 7, 2020.
[3] "NATIONAL STRATEGY for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste and Secondary Material Resources in the Republic of Belarus for the Period up to 2035." Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus. July 28, 2017.
[4] "Remondis Ltd. chosen to create container deposit system for Belarus." NATIONAL CENTRE FOR MARKETING AND PRICE STUDY. October 19, 2018.
[5] "Contest due in Belarus till July 1 to choose investor for establishing container deposit system." NATIONAL CENTRE FOR MARKETING AND PRICE STUDY. April 17, 2019.
[6] "Belarus to phase out plastic bottles larger than 1 liter." Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA). January 21, 2020.
Last Updated on May 19, 2023.