The Czech Ministry of the Environment unveiled plans for the implementation of a mandatory deposit return system (DRS) for PET bottles and drinks cans on Tuesday. The ministry intends to present an amendment to the Act on Packaging by the end of this year. If the legislation is approved, the deposit return system (DRS) could be operational by mid-2025.
A deposit system for refillable beer bottles has been operating for some time in the Czech Republic, but to date there is no comparable system for plastic and metal drinks containers. A DRS had been discussed prior to the drafting of country's packaging legislation in 2019 and 2020, but the measure was ultimately rejected by then-environment minister Richard Brabec.
The current Minister of the Environment, Petr Hladík, noted that the DRS would also enable Czechia to anticipate upcoming changes in EU legislation....
