New Guide Released to Enhance Beverage Packaging Recycling in Europe
Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) and UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe have introduced the DRS Playbook, a practical guide aimed at aiding European countries in establishing efficient deposit return schemes (DRS) for beverage packaging. This initiative comes in light of the newly approved Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and ongoing efforts by several Member States to develop or enhance their DRS.
Key Features of the DRS Playbook
The Playbook offers an experience-based framework for creating effective collection systems that benefit the environment, consumers, and the beverage industry. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring each system to the specific context of a country, while providing essential elements needed for successful implementation. The Playbook includes guidance on designing consumer-friendly systems, ensuring financial sustainability, and achieving high return rates for closed-loop recycling.
Industry Commitment
Patricia Fosselard, Secretary General of NMWE, noted the Playbook's role in promoting collaboration and sharing of best practices to achieve circularity in beverage packaging across Europe. Nicholas Hodac, Director General of UNESDA, highlighted the Playbook as a major collaborative effort to guide stakeholders in making DRS work efficiently.
Alignment with EU Regulations
Coinciding with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Playbook aims to foster harmonized progress at the EU level. Denmark's high-performing DRS model serves as an example for other nations. The guide supports Member States in meeting targets set by the Single-Use Plastics Directive, which mandates the collection of 90% of plastic beverage bottles by 2029.
Broader Impact
The Playbook is rooted in years of engagement with DRS across Europe, drawing from industry knowledge, case studies, and policy analysis. It reaffirms the beverage sector's commitment to closed-loop recycling, ensuring that collected bottles and cans are repurposed into new ones.
