The aim is to reclaim up to 90 percent of the three billion bottles in circulation each year by 2029.Continue reading
The mandatory packaging return system has been activated. For the time being, consumers must check whether they have paid the mandatory return fee for their drinks packaging, and if they have, it can be returned.
The Hungarian Trade Association (OKSZ) has issued a statement warning that it is not worth waiting for vouchers to be redeemed from drinks packaging return machines until the first packages with the mandatory redemption fee appears in shops. As the new packs are identical to the old ones, except that they now bear a code and logo indicating that they are redeemable, there may be temporary disturbances until the old packs are out of circulation.
According to the legislation, from July, single-use drink packs can only be placed on the market in Hungary with a mandatory HUF 50 (EUR 0.13) redemption fee.
The set-up is not complicated, the only thing the customer has to pay attention to is that if they paid a return fee for the beverage product packaging, they have to get it back.
It is also possible to return the packaging at a place other than the place of purchase.
For food outlets over 400 square meters, it is compulsory to return beverage packaging, including those sold elsewhere. Importantly, it is not a glass deposit. Charges for reusable (multi-use) products will remain in place and unchanged. Shops of under 400 square meters will be able to decide voluntarily whether and how to do returns.
It is important to note that the machines will only recognize and accept intact packages (not flat or crumpled).
Both single- and multi-pass containers will be recognized by the machines and will be charged at the same rate as the one charged for vouchers that can be withdrawn or redeemed for cash in the shop.
Beverage outlets selling imported products may encounter some issues. It is not known exactly whether the shop sells small or large quantities, hence it is not at all certain whether the packaging was first marketed in the country.
Furthermore, there are some bottle formats, such as sparkling wine, which are not returnable, so vending machines may not recognize such bottles. In these cases, too, the Trade Association suggests that the only rule of thumb is whether the customer has paid a deposit or a return fee. If so, that bottle must be taken back by the shopkeeper.
Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured Image: Pixabay