Pilot started: France wants to introduce a deposit for glass packaging

class=”sc-29f61514-0 jbwksb”>

In addition to liquor bottles, a surcharge would also be due for jam or mustard jars, which would be refunded to the supermarket when the jar was returned.

“The mother of all struggles is to reduce plastic production,” said Couillard. The goal is to completely eliminate plastic packaging by 2040. However, this would require much more glass to be recycled.

expansion in the next two years

According to the minister, a “legal framework” is first required for the introduction of a deposit system. This will be worked out at the end of the year. The pilot projects can then start next year and the aim is to expand the system over the next two years. Supermarkets above a certain size would then be “obliged” to take back empty glass containers.

The introduction of a mandatory deposit system also requires cleaning systems to process the bottles and glasses. This too is already being prepared, says Couillard. In May, she also launched an initiative to produce standardized barrels. The food and beverage industry is encouraged to adopt the standards to make them easier to reuse.

According to official figures, the recycling percentage of household packaging in France is well below one percent. This is expected to increase to ten percent by 2027. To encourage companies to use reusable glass instead of disposable plastic, the Ministry of the Environment has set up a fund worth 50 million euros. (AFP)

Source: Blick