WEBINAR: Deposit return systems – we know the ‘why’, it’s time to learn ‘how’

In our last webinar of 2020, on December 9th Reloop Platform gathered top European experts on DRS to address questions arising in many European countries that are about to implement deposits for beverage containers.

The webinar consisted of three sessions, in which system operators, producers and communication experts shared their knowledge and expertise on the following:

• DRS implementation,
• DRS operations and logistics, and
• Awareness raising campaigns.

Miks Sturitis from Latvia, CEO of Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators (DIO), explained how the industry is preparing for the system’s implementation in parallel with the finalization of the administrative procedure by the government. He presented his vision of the Latvian DRS with over 1500 collection points and an expected collection rate of 89% by the third year of program operation.

Mr Saulius Galadauskas, chairman of the Lithuanian Brewers Association, stressed the importance of awareness raising campaigns prior to DRS implementation and gave credits to the Lithuanian Fabula PR Agency, which was responsible for the successful campaign in Lithuania.

The keynote speaker, Mr Mircea Fechet, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Romania, summarized the key principles of the deposit system and reassured market actors that the scheme would be implemented correctly, and that all retailers (including small shops) would be reimbursed for their collection efforts.

At the heart of the webinar was the session related to DRS operations and logistics during which Mr Gintaras Varnas (Managing Director of USAD in Lithuania), Mr Tommi Vihavainen (representing Palpa, Finland’s DRS operator) and Mr Rauno Raal (former CEO of Eesti Pandipakend) shared very detailed knowledge about the material, financial and data flows in the deposit system.

The recording from the webinar can be viewed below.

We have more webinars coming up in January 2021 – watch this space!