Over 787 million Returnable Containers Collected in Slovakia to Date

Bratislava, December 20 (TASR) - More than 787 million beverage containers have been collected since the system for returning PET bottles and cans was launched in Slovakia at the start of this year, head of the relations and communications department of the system Lucia Morvai has reported. Between January and November, 1 billion returnable PET bottles and cans were placed on the market in Slovakia. Currently, there are 3,004 sites at which people can return these containers and receive back a deposit. Of these, 1,184 are mandatory and 1,820 voluntary. "As only outlets with an area of over 300 square metres are obliged to have these sites, their further development largely depends on the willingness of smaller outlets to join the system," said Morvai. According to Morvai, the returning of PET bottles and cans in Slovakia is progressing faster than expected. The goal is to reach a 90-percent return rate by 2025. All EU countries are expected to reach this target by 2029. The PET bottle and can deposit system in Slovakia was launched on January 1. All disposable plastic and metal containers with volumes of 0.1-3 litres are subject to the deposit system. The only exception are containers for milk, cordials and spirits. ko/df