| Law Summary | The deposit return system plans to address plastic waste and promote recycling. |
| Date Implemented | To be announced. |
| Containers Covered |
PET bottles between 0.1 to 3 liters. |
| Beverages Covered |
|
| Beverages Not Covered |
|
| Amount of Deposit |
4-5 CZK |
| Fees and Taxes |
To be announced |
| Recovery System | Retailers and Reverse Vending Machines |
| Unredeemed Deposits | Muncipalities: 15% |
| Program Success |
N/A |
Details
The Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic has announced its intention to introduce a bottle deposit system by mid-2025. To implement this program, the Ministry intends to amend the Waste Act, which is expected to be approved by the middle of 2024 and launched by the middle of 2025 [1].
Citizens will pay a refundable deposit of 4-5 CZK on all eligible beverages, and in order to redeem the deposit, the bottles must not be completely crushed. The system has a redemption rate goal of 90% by 2029. [2]
Beverage producers and importers will cover the operational expenses of the deposit system. Retailers, online sellers, and larger petrol stations will be required to participate. The plan includes 11,000 collection points and expects to handle about 1.8 billion PET bottles annually. For smaller municipalities with over 300 people that lack retailers that redeem beverages, the Ministry will appoint an operator to oversee the collection and redemption process.
Footnotes
[1] "Promoting Circular Economy: Czech Republic Plans Deposit-Refund System for PET Bottles and Cans by 2025." Czech Daily. May 17, 2023
[2] See Footnote 1.
Last Updated on June 13, 2023.