A coupon worth 0.10 euros or 0.15 euros will be received by the consumer who returns to the store. empty plastic, aluminum and glass beverage containers. This applies to stores with an area of ​​more than 200 sq.m. and from the beginning of July 2023, since then the corresponding “guaranteed return system” (RTS), as it was called, should be put into effect. However, how the system works, clarified in mid-July, after two years of consultations with the market, has many “unclear” points, the main of which is the Greek “originality” of the disorganization of all those involved in the system.

The six-month extension was included in one of the 201 articles of the Environment Law 4964/2022 recently passed by Parliament. This was preceded at the end of July by the determination of the method of organizing the system (Governmental newspaper 3883B), which was done quite hastily due to what was announced to market participants. So how will the return guarantee system be organized?

• The system is based on the return of empty bottles and cans of drinks by the consumer with a refund of the price to him, as an encouragement for their separate collection and better processing.

• Covers aluminum up to 1L, glass up to 1.3L and plastic up to 3L used for water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, instant drinks and milk. The consumer will receive a coupon worth €0.10 for each package up to half a liter and €0.15 for a larger package. The decision set a goal of recycling 77% plastic (a community goal), 70% glass and 50% aluminum by 2025 (fairly low targets given that recycling of these materials will not start from scratch). It should be noted that there were thoughts about including milk bags in the system, which was not done due to the smell and germs that develop after a few days.

• The consumer will definitely be able to return empty bottles to stores with an area of ​​more than 200 m2, as he will definitely have a special machine. The machine will “scan” the barcode that the product will have and compress it so it can’t be… refilled.

In stores over 200 sq.m. there must be a packaging collection machine that will issue a coupon.

• For shops up to 200 sq.m. the situation is unclear. The decision says they “may” hand-assemble the packaging and return coupons or have an appropriate recycling machine, but this is not mandatory. It also does not specify how hand-picked packages will be accounted for (and their barcodes will be “nullified”) so that they are not reused for coupons, and how the coupons that these stores will give to the customer will be issued.

• Organizations organizing events such as concerts, festivals, etc. must cooperate with the return guarantee system.

The above is for the consumer. By organizing the system:

• Companies that import or manufacture and distribute such bottles or cans are required to establish one or more “systems”, ie. non-profit organizations (as is done in processing) in the form of a legal entity. Companies will pay for a subscription to the system, which in turn will take care of organizing everything else. Municipalities or Collective Municipality Waste Management Bodies (FOSDA) can also participate in these systems.

• These systems must be nationwide and approved by the Hellenic Recycling Organization (EOAN). They will present a business plan, three-year planning and progress report, and track progress towards their goals.

• Greece will not allow the circulation of products in this category whose producers/importers do not have a contract with such a system.

General system

Unlike the rest of European countries, where the DRS has been in place for decades, Greece has been allowed to create more than one such body. Sounds simple, but can cause serious problems. There are basically no economies of scale. Also, if we assume that there are two such systems (for example, when recycling packaging), then their machines will have to accept packaging from both (since the consumer cannot remember that brand X water is processed in one machine). and the brand of water Ψ in another) and naturally they must pay each other a guarantee price, i.e. there must be functional and financial compatibility. In addition, companies should make the same contribution, since these systems are not designed to make a profit. The common system would also ensure that none of the systems make choices in favor of expensive equipment, which the companies will “pass” on the price of the product.