§ Baroness Sharp of Guildfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many member states of the Eluropean Union have laws requiring deposits on all sales of (a) bottles and (b) cans of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. [HL3090]
§ Lord WhittyWe have looked at the position in a number of European countries regarding laws on deposit systems for drink containers. Of the member states of the European Union, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland and Sweden have laws involving deposits on cans and bottles. The schemes vary in detail but they all have the common aim of encouraging re-use and recycling and a reduction in the amount of one-way containers flowing into the waste stream.