A deposit return scheme for Scotland: consultation

Annex B – Summary of deposit return schemes elsewhere (data from 2016 report)

Europe

• Croatia – Since 2005, on plastic, metal and glass. 95% target, achieving 90% in 2015. Take back to place of purchase.
• Denmark – Since 2002, on plastic, metal and glass. 95% target, achieving around 89% in 2014. Take back to place of purchase.
• Estonia – Since 2005, on plastic, metal and glass. 85% target for plastic and glass, 50% for cans, achieving 82.3% overall in 2015. Take back to place of purchase.
• Finland – Since 1996, on plastic, metal and glass. 80% target, achieving overall 92.6% in 2014. Take back to place of purchase.
• Germany – Since 2003, on plastic, glass and metal. Achieving overall return rate of 97% in 2014. Take back to place of purchase.
• Iceland – Since 1989, on plastic, metal and glass. Achieving overall return rate of 90% in 2013. Take to designated drop-off points.
• Lithuania – Since 2016, on plastic, metal and some glass. 90% all packaging recycling by 2025, achieving return rate of 7% in 2016. Take back to place of purchase above a certain size.
• Netherlands – Since 2005, plastic. 95% target, achieving 95% in 2014. Take back to place of purchase.
• Norway – Since 1999, plastic and metal. 95% target, achieving overall rate of 96% in 2014. Take back to a place of purchase.
• Sweden – Since 1984, plastic and metal. 95% target, achieving overall rate of 88.25% in 2014. Take back to place of purchase.

USA

Ten US States have deposit return systems, covering 88.6m people. These tend to be older systems with small deposit levels, and a mix of take back to a place of purchase and take back to a designated drop-off point, typically achieving lower return rates than more modern European systems.

Canada

Twelve provinces and territories covering 33.3 million people have some form of deposit return. As with the USA, these tend to be older systems with small deposits involving amix of materials and return locations, achieving return rates between 60% and 80%.

Australia

Two states covering 1.9m people have deposit return systems first introduced in 1975, achieving around an 80% return rate of obligated materials.

Rest of World

Deposit return schemes also exist in Israel, Kosrae, Kiribati and Palau.