In Sweden, we have had a returnable glass system since the 19th century. It still exists, but on a much smaller scale than before. Today, it covers two bottle sizes – 33 cl and 50 cl.
In the restaurant industry, returnable bottles work very well, where you have a 100 percent deposit, says Lina Häckner, sustainability developer at Systembolaget
Low deposit rate
But for what we sell at Systembolaget and in daily trade, we have as low as a 15 percent deposit rate.
The reason seems to be pure ignorance.
People do not know that returnable glass exists as a system and do not know that you can deposit them.
The bottles can be deposited at all Systembolaget stores. There are no deposit machines, you go to the regular cash register where they can accept both single bottles and crates. It is also possible to deposit returnable glass in food stores – not in all, but in around 1,200 around the country.
Larger carbon footprint
The returnable glass bottles are slightly thicker than single-use bottles, which means a larger carbon footprint – if they are not deposited and reused.
Then they can often be used in principle for as long as you want.
At Systembolaget, there are around 60 products sold in returnable glass. They will now get a new labeling so that it becomes harder to miss that they can be deposited.
The deposit on returnable glass is increased from June 1. Previously, it has been 90 öre per bottle including VAT on 50 cl bottles and 56 öre per bottle for 33 cl bottles. From and including June 1, the deposit is three kronor for both sizes.
Facts: Returnable Glass
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The returnable glass system has existed in Sweden since the end of the 19th century. The system covers 33 cl bottles and bottles of 50 cl. Since November 1, 2022, Systembolaget accepts returnable glass in all its stores, both crates and single bottles. However, not in machines as before, but you have to go to the cash register. Many food stores also accept returnable glass, but not all.
