What can I do with Mehrweg bottles?

What can I do with Mehrweg bottles?

Some grocery stores like Aldi and Lidl do not accept multiple-use (Mehrweg) bottles1. Liquor stores (Getränkemarkt): if you have a lot of bottles to return, this is the right place. Spätis: Spätis will accept the bottles they sold you. They are not a good place to return a lot of bottles.

Is the Pfand system effective?

Introduced by Germany’s Social Democrat/Green coalition government in 2003, Germany’s Pfand (deposit) system has had a overwhelmingly positive effect on littering and introduced fun technology, but has also come with some unexpected social side-effects.

What does Pfandfrei mean?

All other bottles are “pfandfreie Einwegflaschen”, that means you don’t pay a deposit (“Pfand”) when you buy them and you cannot bring them back to a shop and get a deposit (“Pfand”).

Where do Pfand bottles go?

Once you return the empty bottle, you are refunded this deposit, and the bottles get recycled or reused. Upon purchase, you can spot the Pfand on the shelve’s price tag, as it is listed separately from the product price.

How much is the Pfand?

It ranges from 8 cents to 25 cents for single use and multi use bottles. How do you know if you paid a pfand (deposit) in Germany on a bottle or can? The bottle label will say ‘mehrweg’, ‘einweg’ or simply say ‘pfand’. Or, check your receipt, you will see ‘pfand’ as the cost as a line item.

How do I return a Mehrweg bottle?

Compared to Einweg bottles, Mehrweg bottles are more complicated to return. There are no official regulations for supermarkets to take them back. The common rule is to return them at the place where you bought them. It’s best to take your receipt with you as a proof of your purchase and ask a clerk for your deposit.

Do all beer bottles have Pfand?

Whether your bottle will have pfand or not is typically indicated on the bottle label. Examples include: ‘Pfand’ written out, ‘mehrweg’ (multiple use), or ‘einweg’ (single use). Sometimes beer bottles have nothing visible, but you can expect it to have pfand because they are almost always worn out and therefore reused.

How do you pronounce Pfand?

Pronunciation

1. IPA: /pfant/ (standard)
2. IPA: /fant/ (northern Germany, central Germany)
3. Audio. (file)
4. Rhymes: -ant.
5. Homophone: fand (regional)

Is recycling mandatory in Germany?

Is recycling mandatory in Germany? As in other countries, placing waste in public spaces without permission constitutes an offense and may lead to the imposition of an economic fine in Germany. The same applies if a citizen is found inserting waste into the wrong bin.

How does the bottle deposit work?

How Do Bottle Bills Work? When a retailer buys beverages from a distributor, a deposit is paid to the distributor for each container purchased. The consumer pays the deposit to the retailer when buying the beverage, and receives a refund when the empty container is returned to a supermarket or other redemption center.

Does Aldi have bottle return?

Customers are allowed to return single-use PET plastic or glass bottles from 50ml up to three litres, and aluminium drinks cans, to a reverse vending machine installed in one Aldi store.

How does the Pfand system work?

When you purchase certain products, you pay a deposit ( Pfand) for the bottle. When you return the empty bottle, you get your deposit back. This encourages people to return their empty bottles. The empty bottles are then reused or recycled. Understanding the Pfand system is an important part of sorting your trash in Germany.

How can I tell if a bottle has a Pfand logo?

Look at the label on the bottle. Some bottles have Pfand logos, and other bottles use text. The logo or text is often near the barcode. It is sometimes written directly on the glass.

Can I return a Pfand container?

If a business sells Pfand containers, it also accept Pfand returns. It must also accept containers from other brands, not just the brand it sells. A business must not accept container types it doesn’t sell.