For many individuals, the idea of recycling may seem burdensome and unproductive, especially when the direct impact on the environment is not readily evident. However, what if you could make a profit by recycling your used bottles and cans?
Several European countries have implemented a recycling deposit system known as Deposit Return System (DRS). Under this system, a small refundable fee is added to the cost of single-use drink containers at the time of purchase. Consumers can then reclaim this fee by returning the empty containers to designated collection points. Currently, over 13 European countries have adopted this recycling deposit initiative, with more nations expected to follow suit as the European Union takes steps to reduce single-use plastic consumption.
England and Northern Ireland are set to introduce similar measures by October 2027 to align with this trend.
Illustrating how the process works, a man in Amsterdam filmed himself recycling his single-use drink containers.
He began by gathering all the empty bottles from his residence into a large bag for transportation to the recycling collection point. The video on TikTok captured people placing the empty containers into a reusable shopping bag with a voiceover saying, “Let’s return these empty cans and bottles.”
Upon reaching a supermarket, they located the collection point at the entrance, where large machines were installed on the wall. A woman operated a touch screen on the wall before inserting the bottles into a slot on the wall individually.
As the containers passed through the wall, a scanner verified the barcode to ensure eligibility for the deposit scheme. Additionally, the items were checked for their condition, as damaged items would not qualify for the refund.
During the process, a screen displayed the amount of money that would be refunded for the returned items.
After completing the transaction, individuals had the choice to donate the refund to charity or receive a payout. In the video, the participants opted for a cash payout, receiving a receipt with a barcode indicating a value of €3 (£2.60).
The receipt could be redeemed as a coupon in the store or exchanged for cash at kiosks within the store premises.
Many people were intrigued by the deposit scheme, with some sharing their reactions online while others raised queries.
One individual inquired about the fate of the returned bottles, prompting another to clarify that they are recycled to produce new containers. Another person expressed admiration for the recycling practice in Denmark, mentioning their own long-standing commitment to recycling.
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