Yes! We’ve been waiting for this for so long! They talked and talked about it, and finally, they delivered. What am I talking about? Plastic and recycling, of course!
Many countries have tried different recycling systems. We really do our best to sort our trash—separate bins for plastic, metal, bottles, paper, organic waste, and general waste. Sounds great, right?
But let’s be honest. Sometimes we forget. And where does it all end up? In the general waste bin! Oops.
And even when we try, plastic still ends up everywhere. In the wrong bins, on the streets, in parks… I’ve seen way too many bottles just lying around.
But now, someone came up with a smart idea to make people put in just a little more effort. A system that might actually work!
Austria has now joined the group of countries with a deposit system for plastic bottles and cans.
How does it work?
When you buy a drink, you pay an extra 25 cents for the packaging. But don’t worry—you get that money back when you return the empty bottle or can!
Look for a special € sign on the packaging. That means it’s part of the return system.
Returning is super easy! Just drop your empty bottles and cans into the special machines (called Leergut) in bigger stores. The machine gives you a coupon, which you can use at checkout for your next purchase. Simple!
One important thing! The bottles and cans must be whole. No crushing, no squeezing—keep them intact so the machine can recognize them.
You don’t even need a receipt! The system works everywhere, no matter where you bought your drink. Even in places like shopping centers, airports, and train stations, they’re setting up collection points.
Since this system started, I thought, “Okay, I won’t go with just one bottle to test it out.” So, my husband and I collected bottles for about three weeks. And guess what? We filled TWO big bags! (Let’s just say my husband loves Coca-Cola, so collecting wasn’t a problem. 😂)
I was surprised to see that even small 250ml cans, like Red Bull, are included in the system. Yes, drinks will cost a little more now, but if you return the bottle or can, you get your 25 cents back. So, what would you rather do? Throw them away or collect and return them for cash?
At work, I got so excited talking about this that one of my resident’s relatives overheard me. He laughed and said, “I’m too old to bother with that...I’ll just bring my bottles to you every time I visit my sister!”
And guess what? Yesterday, he actually pulled me aside and handed me a few bottles! I could only smile and say, “Thank you!”
Honestly, I’m really impressed by this system. It’s a small step, but an important one. We take so much from nature...it’s time we give something back.
So, let the recycling begin! 🌍♻️
“There is no such thing as ‘away.’ When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.” – Annie Leonard
