Sweden Boosts Glass Bottle Return Deposit to Enhance Recycling Efforts
Sweden increases glass bottle return deposit to incentivize recycling.
Key Points
- • Return deposit for glass bottles increases to 3 kronor on June 1, 2025.
- • Current return rates for glass bottles in Sweden are as low as 15%.
- • Systembolaget to introduce clearer labeling for returnable glass bottles.
- • The initiative aims to enhance recycling awareness and sustainability efforts.
In a significant environmental initiative, Sweden plans to increase the return deposit for glass bottles starting June 1, 2025, as part of efforts to encourage higher return rates among consumers. The existing return rates for glass bottles at retail shops and Systembolaget is alarmingly low, currently sitting at just 15%.
The new scheme will raise the return deposit from 90 öre (approximately 0.90 SEK) for 50 cl bottles and 56 öre (approximately 0.56 SEK) for 33 cl bottles to a standardized 3 kronor (approximately 0.30 SEK) for both sizes. This increase aims to incentivize consumers to participate more actively in the return scheme, which has been in place in Sweden since the 1800s but has seen a decline in usage due to public ignorance regarding the system.
According to Lina Häckner, a sustainability developer at Systembolaget, while the restaurant sector boasts a 100% return rate, retail environments lag significantly behind. To address this knowledge gap, Systembolaget will also roll out new labeling on approximately 60 products sold in returnable glass, making it clearer for customers which bottles can be returned for a deposit. This proactive approach underscores Sweden's commitment to enhancing recycling rates and overall sustainability efforts.
The initiative reflects a growing awareness of climate impact, as bottles that are not returned contribute significantly to environmental waste. Sweden aims to reverse the declining trend and bolster public participation in sustainable practices through these enhanced incentives.