After more than 40 years, local breweries are increasing the deposit for the classic 0.5-liter beer bottle from 9 cents (previously 1.2 Schilling) to 20 cents from February 2nd. "The low deposit apparently led to more and more people disposing of the bottles, thus removing them from recycling," explained the chairman of the Association of Breweries, Karl Schwarz, on Friday in a press release. The "Standard" had previously reported on a deposit increase in February.

Deposit for Classic Beer Bottles Increases from February 2nd

According to the Brewery Association, those affected by the deposit increase are glass bottles that are currently deposited in the return machines for 9 cents: This includes the 0.5-liter beer bottles, but also white glass bottles with screw caps and many 0.33-liter glass bottles. Since "90 percent" are beer bottles, the Association of Breweries has, according to its own statements, increased the deposit.

Deposit Increase Expected to Shorten Beer Bottle Return Intervals

Reusable glass bottles that end up in the glass container instead of being returned to the supermarket are missing from breweries and other beverage producers and, according to association information, cause damage in the millions for the industry. "We assume that the higher deposit will ensure that the return intervals are shortened," said the managing director of the Brewery Association, Florian Berger. The association expects that the deposit increase will result in the bottles being returned more frequently. "This saves a lot of resources in the very energy-intensive production of glass bottles," said Association Chairman Schwarz. Reusable glass bottles can be refilled up to 40 times.

Timing of the Increase was a Secret

According to the "Standard", the value of already stored bottles with a 9 cent deposit, for which you will later also get 20 cents, is also increasing overnight. This makes the industry nervous, writes the newspaper. Therefore, the exact timing of the expected deposit cost increase has so far been a well-kept secret. Since the beginning of January, there has also been a one-way deposit system for plastic bottles and aluminum cans (25 cents) in Austria.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article .