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Deposit Return Systems
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Every container sold with a mandatory deposit retains its value upon return, a value that return point operators pay back to the consumer. Depending on the scheme design, operators can reclaim this deposit from the deposit management organisation, manufacturers, or importers. Reliable deposit compensation is dependent on important information relating to the timing and location of the retuned container.
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REMONDIS helped pioneer the German DRS. It achieves 97% return rate and 99% recycling rate
How it works
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Every container sold with a mandatory deposit retains its value upon return, a value that return point operators pay back to the consumers. Depending on the scheme design, operators can reclaim this deposit from the deposit management organisation, manufacturers, or importers.
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REMONDIS is the largest operator in the German scheme, managing >10 billion datasets a year for deposit clearing on behalf of our clients
Our experience counts
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Since 2002, REMONDIS has been establishing robust and efficient services and solutions for deposit return schemes. For over 20 years, REMONDIS has been collaborating with brand owners and retailers to optimise DRS operations and close material loops.
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Our service portfolio offers customised solutions along the entire DRS value chain
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Key Elements of a Successful Scheme
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Secure Process
Modern deposit return schemes employ article codes and additional security measures to identify containers eligible for deposit refunds. Successful identification generates data that allows return point operators to claim compensation. Immediate invalidation of the container prevents double-processing, ensuring a secure and efficient system.
Deposit LevelApplying a deposit can significantly influence consumer behaviour, encouraging the return of empty containers. Financial pressure drives consumers to return their empties to designated return points. Setting an appropriate deposit level is crucial to achieving this desired effect.
Return PointsConvenience, accessibility and coverage are paramount for return points. Integrating the return of empties with regular shopping routines, such as a return-to-retail approach, yields excellent collection rates. This method ensures that returning empties is easy and efficient for consumers.
CollectionUsed deposit containers should be kept separate from contaminants throughout the supply chain. Utilising back-hauling from stores to distribution centres is an effective strategy to leverage existing infrastructure and avoid additional transportation costs.
Material PurityA key element of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is ensuring pure material output. Locally recycled materials enable manufacturers to replace virgin materials with food-grade recycled materials, significantly reducing the carbon footprint and promoting environmental sustainability.
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Comprehensive Service Modules for the Entire Value Chain
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Efficient processes for reliable manual return
REMONDIS operates a specialised fleet to transport manually returned containers to counting centres, ensuring seamless service even for small stores. Our track & trace and incident management systems guarantee reliability. We offer efficient, tailored logistics solutions, including fallback options for return points with RVMs
German reverse vending solutions
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In 2022, REMONDIS acquired the Diebold-Nixdorf RVM business unit, launching RE DEPOSIT as our Group's reverse vending machine manufacturer. With a team boasting nearly 20 years of experience, we engineer and build robust machines in Germany, ensuring high quality and durability.
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Counting Centre Operations for manual return
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In 2002, REMONDIS pioneered its first counting centre in Germany and now operates regional centres nationwide. These centres utilise camera detection to register manually returned beverage containers, ensuring efficient batch processing and providing detailed, reliable reports for our clients.
Data processing for deposit clearing
Our in-house data centres operate with bank-level safety and mirrored infrastructure, securely processing and storing billions of datasets a year. This ensures the highest standards of data integrity and safety for deposit clearing operations.
Closing the material loop
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REMONDIS expertly manages various packaging wastes, including glass, aluminum, steel, and PET. Dedicated PET recycling plants produce high-quality flakes and food-grade regranules, thanks to the separate collection and minimised contamination of materials.
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REMONDIS operates in many countries across four continents. Contact us today to set up Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) operations in your country.
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Drop us a line
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REMONDIS-Group
REMONDIS Recycling belongs to the REMONDIS Group and thus to one of the world's largest recycling, service and water companies. More about the company at remondis.com
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Contact
REMONDIS Recycling GmbH & Co. KGEconova-Allee 3345356 EssenGermanyF +49 201 83454-219