Refunds for returning plastic bottles could become a reality in Slovakia in the near future, according to Environment Minister László Sólymos (Most-Híd).
"It's a very hot and topical issue, as pollution from plastic bottles is very visible, since it instantly strikes the attention when you see bottles around lakes, rivers or roads,"said the minister, adding that his ministry is preparing a study in this regard as it needs to know how much this measure would cost and how it would impact retailers.
"The current system sees around 70 percent of plastic bottles that enter the Slovak market collected. Refunding PET bottles is a more effective method of collection. Global experience shows that the collection level in countries with bottle refunds is between 90-95 percent. On the other hand, PET bottles are the most lucrative plastic waste so if we set them apart, collecting plastic waste that isn't so lucrative for further processing could be a problem," he added.
The Slovak Modern Trade Alliance, whose members include retail chains such as Billa, Kaufland, Lidl, Metro, Terno and Tesco, is open to discussion in this regard. "However, in order for a deposit system to be introduced effectively, a complex and enclosed chain must be provided. This means the involvement not only of retailers, but also of manufacturers and processors of PET bottles, and, last but not least, of the state," said the director of the alliance Katarína Fašiangová.
