In future, the bottle deposit will also apply to milk, cocoa, yogurt and co.

New from 2024 - In future, the bottle deposit will also apply to milk, cocoa, yogurt and co.

From January 1, consumers will be able to return empty plastic bottles of milk and mixed milk drinks to deposit machines. In addition to normal milk, this also applies to cocoa, coffee drinks, kefir and drinking yogurt, for example. The empty bottles can then be returned wherever disposable plastic bottles are sold, for example in supermarkets.

Mandatory deposit for milk to help combat littering

The mandatory deposit applies to drinks with a milk content of at least 50 percent in plastic bottles. Specific examples include Müller milk, Starbucks coffee and kefir. Some energy drinks, which previously remained deposit-free due to their high whey content, also fall under the regulation. The products will naturally be 25 cents more expensive as a result. The deposit rule does not apply to Tetra Paks.

Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) told the German Press Agency that it was important for Germany to stop littering and start using more recycled materials. "Everyone is called upon to do this, industry and retailers alike." The mandatory deposit for milk and dairy products in bottles made of disposable plastic is a sensible contribution.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, a deposit has been mandatory for the majority of single-use plastic drinks bottles since the beginning of 2022. A transitional period only applied to milk and dairy products. The reason: bottles filled with milk or dairy products must be cleaned particularly hygienically when they are returned. Manufacturers and supermarkets should have more time to prepare for this.

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1. Starting from 2024, consumers will need to pay a mandatory deposit for empty plastic bottles of special position drinks like yogurt and cocoa, in addition to milk and milk-based beverages.
2. Yogurt brands such as Müller and coffee drinks like Starbucks will now require a 25 cent deposit due to the expansion of the bottle deposit rule, which applies to drinks with at least 50% milk content.
3. In line with the Environment Minister's call to reduce littering and use more recycled materials, consumers will soon be able to return empty plastic bottles of beverages like milk, cocoa, and yogurt for a deposit in supermarkets, just like they do with regular plastic bottles.

Source: www.stern.de