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Government in Latvia approves regulations for introduction of bottle deposit system

BC, Riga, 11.08.2020.Print version
The government in Latvia on August 11th approved the new Deposit System Operation Regulations, which determines the terms of acceptance, collection, processing, preparation and re-use of deposit packaging, special instructions for deposit packaging and conditions of use, and a number of other issues related to the operation of the system, informs LETA.

The regulations stipulate that the fee for a deposit packaging unit will be 0.10 euros.


The deposit system applies to carbonated and non-carbonated beverages such as mineral water, soft drinks, drinking water, lemonade, energy drinks, iced teas, juices, nectar, beer and other fermented products with an alcohol content of up to 6 percent.


The system will not be applicable to wine, sparkling wine and fruit wine packaging.


According to the regulations, the deposit system will be able to accept glass bottles of non-alcoholic beverages with a capacity of 0.1 to three liters. Packaging of products with an alcoholic strength of up to 6 percent will be accepted in glass containers between 0.1 to 0.75 liters.


It will also be possible to accept plastic bottles for non-alcoholic beverages with a capacity of 0.1 to three liters. Beer and other fermented products with an alcohol content of up to 6 percent will be accepted in plastic packaging between 0.1 to 0.5 liters, and one liter. The deposit system will also accept cans with a capacity of 0.2 to one liter.


The reusable or disposable beverage deposit packaging will be accepted from the end user and the deposit will be refunded if it bears a special indication and a barcode or square code that can be read. The packaging will have to be emptied and must not be broken or damaged.


If digital authentication of the deposit package is provided, the package will be accepted from the end user and the deposit fee will be refunded for a flattened or damaged disposable deposit package even if it is not possible to fully read the identification marks.


The introduction of the deposit system will promote the involvement of the population in the circular economy and the creation of new jobs, commenting on the Rules of Operation of the Deposit System adopted by the government today, said Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Juris Puce (For Development).


"The introduction of the deposit system will increase the total amount of recycling of used packaging. The possibility to recover the deposit fee is stimulating, thus the population will be more actively involved in sorting used packaging,'' Puce said.


According to him, with the development of the waste packaging deposit system, the creation of new jobs is also expected. In the future, it is expected that with the improvement of the application of the deposit system, it will be possible to supplement and expand the range of beverages and packaging to which the deposit system can be applied, the minister explained.







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