The Danish deposit system, founded in 2002, celebrates a historic milestone with 93 per cent of the bottles and cans marketed in the country being returned to the recycling system.
In 2024, for the first time, the Danish deposit system exceeded 2.1 billion bottles and cans returned, i.e. one bottle or can returned every day by a Dane.
Denmark thus stands out for the commitment of its citizens and the effectiveness of a system with more than 12,000 well-distributed collection points for about 6 million inhabitants.
A successful circular system
The model of Dansk Retursystem – the company operating the Danish deposit system – is based on a collaboration between manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers, who together ensure a closed loop – bottle to bottle or can to can – for the reuse of materials. This guarantees a high food quality of the materials, which can be recycled again and again, in a virtuous circuit close to perfection.
The target set for 2024 – with an increase in the recycling rate of almost 4% – has made it possible to limit the use of virgin raw materials for the manufacture of packaging and to save an impressive 234,000 tonnes of CO₂.
Manufacturers exempt from the EPR contribution
The efficiency of the system also translates into an economic advantage for packaging manufacturers. Due to the good collection and sales performance of aluminium containers (the most widely used type in Denmark), producers were exempted from paying the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) contribution due for the handling of post-consumer packaging in 2024. The third financing item of the system, based on
– EPR contribution
– uncollected consumer deposits
– proceeds from the sale of materials to the recycling industry.
Innovation and future strategy
The company also made significant progress in its JOIN25 strategy, focusing on efficiency, emission reduction and consumer satisfaction.
Key initiatives include the transition to an electric vehicle fleet, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. In addition, a new factory in Fredericia (in Southern Denmark, Syddanmark) designed to increase production capacity and integrate advanced technologies will be opened in 2025.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite successes, Dansk Retursystem faces challenges such as rising energy costs and volatile commodity prices.
However, new European regulations, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), offer opportunities to expand the Danish model internationally.
A sustainable future
With a 92% satisfaction rate among consumers and a strong focus on social responsibility (CSR), Dansk Retursystem is positioned as a leader in the transition to a circular economy.
The 25th anniversary milestone in 2025 will be an opportunity to reflect on achievements and look forward to future challenges.
Marta Strinati
References
Dansk Retursystem A/S, Årsrapport 2024 https://danskretursystem.dk/om-os/aarsrapport/
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
