new law last year that will penalize consumers who buy recyclable drink containers instead of refillable ones. Deposits are collected on all containers, and consumers receive a full (100%) deposit refund for refillables but only a partial refund (50%) for non-refillables. The money from the non-refillable consumer funds anti-litter campaigns. Prince Edward Island requires beer and soft drinks to be sold only in refillable bottles. Additionally, the Island is implementing deposit systems for wine and liquor containers. Great Britain still refills nearly 100% of its milk bottles, including small glass bottles for school children. Reuse in England has not been limited to beverage containers. The Body Shop, a UK-based natural cosmetics company with stores world-wide, dispenses its shampoos and conditioners in returnable deposit containers. In Germany 72% of all carbonated beverages must be sold in refillable bottles. Enacted in 1991, this law will increase the percentage each year so that by the year 2000, 81% of Germany’s beverages will be packaged in refillables. Both Coca-cola and Pepsi have been successful in Germany marketing their soft drinks in refillable 1.5 liter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. These bottles are made from the same material as 2 liter bottles in the United States, except a bit thicker to withstand the washing. The PET bottles can hold together for about 25 refillings, fewer than glass bottles, and many fewer than its plastic cousin Lexan. In Switzerland, the highly popular, fine-quality yogurt sold by Toni’s Yogurt uses a returnable and refillable package. Toni’s comes in a high density polyethylene (HOPE) plastic container which can be reused several times. After use, the container is placed on designated wash-racks outside any of Toni’s numerous stores. Toni’s offers us a rare example of a reusable solid food container. Denmark may be the most zealous country in promoting reusable packaging. In 1981 Danish law required all beer and soft drinks to be sold in refillable bottles bearing a mandatory deposit. The law bans metal cans and plastic bottles. This was probably motivated by the difficulty in recycling plastics and the glut in scrap metal. Containers, by law, must be standardized in order to make the return system and bottle washing run more smoothly. Reports indicate that approximately 99% of containers in Denmark are returned and refilled. As might be expected, in the world’s poorer countries refilling is still most common. For example, in Mexico 70% of the soft drinks are sold in refillable containers, as well as over 80% of the beer. Reusables should have a place in any healthy economy, planned or not, since they create jobs while conserving resources. In former socialist countries there are many who, economic ideology aside, realize that they are starting to lose the existing reusable system. In Leipzig, in former East Germany, the unification led to a near overnight increase in garbage and litter of up to 50%, one of tbe most visible by-products of the new market economy. In frustration the Leipzig City Council passed a law requiring food and beverages sold on public property be packaged in reusable containers. The refillable revolution continues... RAIN Spring 1993 Volume XIV, Number 3 Page 29
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