Mandatory deposit return: the experience of the store chains in the DRS case is mixed

According to Mohu, two and a half million pieces of plastic, metal and glass beverage packaging are disposed of every day thanks to the redemption system. This ensures that they do not end up as illegal garbage. The REpont application is also growing in popularity, it has already been downloaded by 400,000 people, and the network is expected to expand as more and more stores join the system.

Installation of vending machines is mandatory for stores larger than 400 square meters, while it is recommended for stores larger than 200 square meters to attract customers. Smaller stores may offer manual redemption, where the store clerk takes back the bottles and Mohu trucks deliver them. Mohu pays operators a handling fee for each returned bottle to ensure that the machines are kept clean and emptied regularly.

The HUF 50 deposit provides enough motivation for customers not to throw away the bottles, but to return them. Although the machines in some stores are filling up sooner than expected, Mohu provides logistical support to manage them and has increased the number of bags provided to operators.

According to EU regulations, 90 percent of PET bottles must be collected and recycled by 2029. Hungary’s longer-term goal is to reach a recycling rate of 65 percent by 2035, in the achievement of which the DRS system plays a significant role.

Larger store chains have different experiences with the redemption system:

Lidl: All Lidl stores have return machines that return PET bottles, single-use bottles and metal cans. The equipment is easily accessible and operates during opening hours. The number of returned packaging is constantly increasing.

SPAR: Among SPAR’s more than 600,000 customers, they have reported problems with the system a few dozen times. It is important for customers to be properly informed about which beverage packages can be returned.

Tesco: Out of more than 1,700 affected products, Tesco has already switched to returnable packaging in more than 70 percent. The system works smoothly and the rate of returned products increases exponentially.

Auchan: Auchan is continuously switching to DRS packaging products and has over 50 machines available in their stores. The received voucher can be exchanged for cash at the customer service.

Penny: Penny is progressing smoothly with the transition, although some minor bugs have been reported to the operators. The number of beverage packaging on the shelves is increasing spectacularly.

Aldi: By January 1, 2024, Aldi has placed the return machines in all its domestic stores. The supermarket chain continuously increases the amount of returned bottles and ensures continuous availability by emptying the containers of the vending machines more often.

The collection and recycling of PET bottles is a particularly important environmental protection goal in Hungary. The new redemption system is already showing significant results and is expected to continue to grow in the future. The supermarket chains have different experiences with the operation of the system, but they are all committed to environmental protection and sustainability.