DRS application: The market is “on pins and needles” and the country does not make a decision

Friday, March 15, 2024

---

Increasing delays in the implementation of the Packaging Guarantee Return System, the so-called DRS (Deposit Return Scheme), are causing serious concerns in the bottled water market and the soft drinks market. After three-time extensions (June 2023, September 2023, December 2023) and with the tolerance of the European Union, Greece is invited to settle on its final proposals before the end of the term of the European Parliament and before the interruption of the work of the European Commission due to of the June European elections.

The relevant timetable was extended to April 2024, but it is clear that Greece needs more time. At the moment, the responsibility for implementing the DRS System is in the hands of the Hellenic Recycling Organization (ΕΟΑΝ). However, none of the pillars of the plan, an important first step, have been finalized, and EOAN has not answered any questions, official or unofficial, so these have been downplayed... As we can see from discussions between people in the market, it is understood in the industries involved that the solution will not be provided by government resources alone, and they will need to pay as well. Everyone agrees that "the government has underestimated the issue".

The bottle collection points are currently under the jurisdiction of the Regions and they only operate during public service hours (07:00 to 15:00), with the result that "they are only used by ’professional rag-picker’". EOAN has an obligation to inform and later, to raise public awareness of the matter.

Companies encourage the system – The two rejected ideas

All relevant companies have a positive attitude towards recycling rPET material because from an application point of view they will not be obliged to order new rPET material from abroad. The biggest issue involves rPET bottles, not glass bottles, for which a proven method of recycling and reusing has been found.

FOODReporter has been informed that, behind closed doors, two ideas have already been rejected: The first involved the reverse operation of the supply chain. But it was considered unprofitable and untenable to involve the wholesalers in the issue of returning bottles, although the original idea was that this would happen at the same delivery time of the next order. The cost of the geographical inaccessibility and insularity that characterizes Greece is very high, let alone for 90% recycling rates imposed by the European Union for DRS - unless the composition of the next European Parliament changes the balance and decides otherwise. Would some people choose it? The second idea is to absorb the application of authentication technology through gov.gr to ensure correct returns to every participating citizen.

Resource: FoodReporter Issue #1124, Page 4.