Austria launched its national deposit return system in 2025, covering single-use plastic bottles and metal cans. The scheme operates alongside the country’s established reusable packaging system, demonstrating how recycling and reuse can complement one another within a modern circular economy.
| Launch | January 2025 |
| Deposit | €0.25 |
| Operator | Recycling Pfand Österreich |
Related resources
Deposit return systems: UK perspective
In this short film, produced with Marine Conservation Society, we find out what the UK can learn from deposit systems in Europe.
Inside Latvia’s Deposit Return System
Joint film from Marine Conservation Society and Reloop on their field trip to Latvia to learn about their deposit return system and the positive impact it is having on their beaches.
Inside Slovakia’s Deposit Return System
Slovakia’s Deposit Return System (DRS) for single-use beverage containers officially launched on January 1, 2022.
Inside Demark’s Deposit Return System
Joint film from Marine Conservation Society and Reloop on their field trip to Denmark to learn about their deposit return system and the city-wide REUSABLE cup systems in Aarhus.
