Na co se připravit v souvislosti se zálohováním PET lahví a plechovek?

What to Prepare for Regarding the Deposit System for PET Bottles and Cans

A draft amendment, primarily aimed at introducing a deposit system for selected single-use beverage packaging, specifically plastic (PET) bottles and cans, was distributed to members of parliament on 11 October 2024, as parliamentary print no. 818 and is currently in its first reading. The goal is to increase recycling efficiency, reduce waste generation, and decrease littering.

The proposed amendment ensures the transposition of the EU Directive 2019/904, which establishes targets for the separate collection of plastic bottles and aims to achieve a 90% collection rate of plastic waste by 2029.

The proposed deposit system for PET bottles and cans imposes obligations on three main groups: producers of single-use packaging, final sellers (retailers), and the deposit system operator. The operator is a specially authorized company ensuring collective compliance exclusively for returnable deposit packaging and coordinating the nationwide operation of the deposit system.

In brief: producers who place single-use packaging on the market along with their products (beverages) must register with the deposit system operator and pay a deposit and fee for each packaging item. Producers sell the beverage in the packaging to the final seller, typically grocery stores, who pays the price of the beverage plus the deposit. The consumer purchases the beverage from the final seller, paying both the price and the deposit, and subsequently returns the packaging to the seller, who refunds the paid deposit.

The seller then hands over the returned packaging to the operator through collection points. The operator reimburses the paid deposits and pays a handling fee. The operator oversees the entire system and is responsible for the control, counting, transport, and processing of packaging waste.

The mandatory purchase of deposit packaging will apply to final sellers in stores exceeding 50 m², including gas stations and e-shops with their own delivery services.

Another novelty is the inclusion of advertising leaflets in the existing collective recycling system, placing them on par with packaging materials. Just like packaging, entities that place advertising leaflets on the market or into circulation will be responsible for ensuring their collection. These entities will pay a fee to cover the costs of collecting and disposing of the leaflets, which is aimed at reducing expenses for municipalities in the sorted waste recycling system.

The proposed law is set to take effect on 1 January 2026, presenting a challenging deadline for many affected entities. For example, the preparation of the deposit system in Slovakia took 15 months from the approval of the law to the collection of the first deposit bottle. Given that the amendment is still in its first reading, it remains to be seen whether the effective date of the new legislation will be changed during the legislative process, along with other potential amendments.

For any inquiries on how the proposed changes may affect you, please contact the authors of the article or other members of the EY Law firm or the EY team with whom you collaborate.

Authors:

Jan Turek

Michal Sladký