PODCAST: Deposit System for PET Bottles and Cans in a Nutshell – A Major Innovation for Czechia. Interview with Petr Novotný, Institute for Circular Economy (INCIEN)

The Czech Ministry of the Environment has submitted a draft amendment to the Packaging Act, which would introduce a deposit system for selected single-use beverage containers – PET bottles and cans. The government approved the amendment last autumn, and it is now awaiting discussion in the Chamber of Deputies.

The amendment reflects the current "Waste Management Plan," the government's program statement, as well as the new strategy "Circular Czechia 2040," while also responding to the European Union’s regulation on "Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)," which includes provisions on a mandatory deposit system.

The deposit system for PET bottles and cans will significantly impact the entire development of the circular economy in the Czech Republic. It has the potential to jump-start a value-added economy and accelerate innovative trends in the Czech market. By implementing this system, the country would join 16 other European nations where it is already successfully established and operational. Experiences from these countries show that deposit systems are environmentally friendly solutions that prevent the waste of natural resources by reusing materials in the production of new PET bottles and cans. This approach reduces energy consumption by up to 95% and the carbon footprint of these containers by 80%.

The deposit system has undeniable environmental, economic, and social benefits, making it a significant opportunity for the Czech economy to finally embrace innovative and circular trends across various sectors and industries. The introduction of the PET bottle and can deposit system will serve as both motivation and acceleration for the implementation of circular economy processes and tools in other fields, such as construction, the textile industry, furniture manufacturing, the automotive industry, and more.