More than 2.87 billion PET bottles and aluminium cans were collected through Sweden's deposit return system (DRS) last year. This was almost 6 per cent more than in 2023. According to system operator Returpack AB/Pantamera, on average each Swedish resident returned 271 deposit-bearing bottles and cans in 2024.
Despite achieving an 87.6 per cent collection rate for these single-use beverage containers, Sweden missed its 90 per cent goal. The collection rate for aluminium cans stood at 88.2 per cent, while a rate of 86.3 per cent was achieved for PET bottles.
The return rate had been higher in 2023, having hit 88.5 per cent, although fewer PET bottles and cans were collected overall (around 2.7 billion). The Swedish deposit system operator aims to maintain a stable collection rate above 90 per cent.
Returpack attributed the failure to meet the 90 per cent target to the many drinks containers that "disappear from the system" in cross-border trade as well as to difficulties in ensuring that packaging for beverages consumed away from home are returned via the deposit system. The organisation also highlighted the tendency of younger people to redeem deposits less frequently than older consumers.
Under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), member states are obligated to achieve a separate collection rate of 90 per cent for single-use plastic beverage bottles by 2029. An interim target of 77 per cent becomes binding in 2025.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) which was adopted this year expands those targets. By 1 January 2029, EU member states will need to achieve a separate collection rate of at least 90 per cent for all single-use plastic and metal beverage containers with fill volumes up to three litres via DRSs or other solutions.
Deposit increase as of September
To boost recycling rates and encourage more consumers to return bottles and cans, Returpack plans a deposit increase. The hike was announced in January. After the change, the deposit on aluminium cans and small PET bottles will be doubled to SEK2, the equivalent of €0.18. The deposit for large PET bottles is to be increased from SEK2 to SEK3.
Implementing the change will take several months, as preparing for an increase was "an extensive process", the system operator explained. Returpack noted that the Swedish deposit system currently covers over 11,000 items, and the labels and packaging for these items have to be updated by the manufacturers. The packaging must also be tested, inspected and registered in the deposit system to ensure that the material is suitable for recycling into new beverage containers, said the system operator. Reverse vending machines must also be updated to reflect the new deposit. The switch-over is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2025, with the first products to hit the shelves in early September.
Sweden's deposit system for single-use beverage containers was established in 1984 and is managed by Returpack AB, operating as Pantamera. The privately-owned company is held in part by the Swedish Brewers and Retailers Federation.
