
New rules, impending destruction: billions of beverage bottles in Germany are at risk
The EU has announced far-reaching plans to reorganize deposit systems and packaging, which could have a massive impact on Germany. The focus is on the potential destruction of billions of beverage bottles in the country. This alarming situation has brought various beverage associations into action, which vehemently warn of the impending consequences.
The future of billions of beer bottles is at stake as the EU plans new rules for deposit systems and packaging. Holger Eichele, managing director of the German Brewers Association, warns urgently of the consequences: “If the EU plans become reality, we would have to melt down all reusable bottles. This madness must be prevented,” he told the newspaper “Bild”.
In an incendiary letter to the European Parliament, several beverage associations also draw attention to the weaknesses of the proposal. The planned rules aim to reduce packaging waste in Europe and strengthen the circular economy - an ambitious project with the right goals, according to the German Brewers' Association. However, he emphasizes that the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) does not promote environmental protection, but rather absurdly undermines it.
The criticism from the beverage associations is particularly directed at the feared devaluation of reusable packaging due to the planned deposit requirements for disposable packaging. This measure could result in millions or even billions of beer bottles no longer being able to be reused and instead inevitably having to be destroyed.
“Ecological and economic madness”: Beverage associations warn of the impact of the EU plans on reusable systems
As part of new declaration requirements, “permanent labeling” of reusable packaging is required. However, this would bring the existing German reusable system, which has always worked with washable labels, to a standstill. According to the German Brewers' Association, this requirement would mean that all existing reusable bottles would have to be completely destroyed.
Germany has a large number of successful and environmentally friendly reusable systems, emphasizes the German Brewers' Association. The reusable rates in Germany have been well above the target rates set by the EU for 2040 for decades. The return rates for reusable bottles and crates set the benchmark for successful reusable systems across Europe at almost 99 percent.
Dirk Reinsberg, Managing Director of the Federal Association of German Beverage Wholesalers, agrees with the concerns and describes the plans as ecological and economic madness. This underlines the widespread criticism of the impending impact of the new rules on tried and tested reusable systems.
Threat to the existence of reusable systems: EU regulations allegedly endanger not only bottles, but also boxes
The planned change could not only mean the end of bottles, but the crates would also be affected, warns the German Brewers Association. According to EU regulations, the amount of empty space in transport packaging should also be limited, which may make sense in the context of mail order. But applied to water or beer crates, this regulation would make the transport and storage of reusable bottles impossible in the future. Dirk Reinsberg from the Federal Association of German Beverage Wholesalers explains: “In the case of beer, this would mean that the classic German beer crate would be on the verge of being eliminated and would have to be shredded and destroyed.”
Despite acknowledging the EU Commission's positive approach in its draft regulation, the associations emphasize in their letter to the European Parliament that companies that have been investing in functioning reusable systems for decades should not be penalized.
EU Commission: New packaging rules do not threaten the survival of reusable beer bottles
There is confusion about whether the European Commission's reform proposals for new packaging regulations would actually lead to the melting down of reusable beer bottles in Germany. Recent reports in the media suggest this, however these claims are not accurate. Here are the facts:
As the EU Commission writes on its Facebook page , the proposal stipulates that every packaging must be provided with a permanently affixed marking, consisting of a label and a QR code, which provides information about the material type of the packaging as well as the correct disposal indicates.

The removable paper labels commonly used in the German bottle deposit system meet this requirement, provided they remain available while the bottle is in circulation. If the label comes off during the washing process, a new label must be attached for further reuse. However, it is not necessary to engrave the information on the bottle, as the Commission proposal only mentions this as an optional form of labeling.
Overall, the regulation aims to improve the sustainability of packaging. This includes measures to prevent unnecessary waste, promote recycling and increase the proportion of recycled plastics in packaging.
Conclusion
The demand for a revision of the plans and a consideration of the successful German reusable systems is becoming increasingly louder. However, a solution must be found that takes both environmental protection and economic aspects into account and ensures a sustainable future for reusable packaging in Germany.
Sources:
RND , Facebook: EU Commission
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