By the close of 2024, a total of 59 deposit return systems (DRS) will be operational worldwide for the collection and recycling of single-use drinks containers.
As the momentum for DRS gains traction, recent developments in Europe signal that even more deposit systems will be coming to the forefront in the next few years.
Fortunately, there is a strong wave of public support for deposit systems, providing a gratifying assurance for governments currently contemplating DRS legislation as a strategy to meet recycling targets.
Our newly updated fact sheet, compiling insights from over 180 public opinion polls across 29 jurisdictions from 2003 to 2023, underscores this crucial point.
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Public support for deposit return systems
Compilation of results from over 180 public opinion polls on public support for deposit systems gathered on a global scale.
Summary of key findings from the research
Table 1: Summary of 183 opinion polls conducted to measure public support for deposit return, globally (2003-2023)
| Question asked | Number of polls | % of respondents in support (median) | % of respondents in support (average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support for introducing new DRS legislation | 108 | 81.0% | 80.6% |
| Support for existing DRS legislation | 34 | 87.5% | 84.2% |
| Support for expanding DRS legislation | 41 | 80.3% | 79.2% |
Figure 1: Public support for deposit return legislation in Europe
Figure 2: Public support for deposit return legislation in the U.S.
Figure 3: Public support for deposit return legislation in Canada
Figure 4: Public support for deposit return legislation in Oceania
