Return The Plastics

The Return the Plastics Citizen Initiative advocates for the implementation of an EU-wide deposit-system to recycle plastic bottles. The idea is that supermarkets which are selling plastic bottles, install reverse vending machines for recycling the plastic bottles after being purchased and used by the consumer.
Return the Plastics was initiated in Belgium. However, inspiration came from other member states. Since 2002 in Germany, all stores and supermarkets that sell beverages are required to take empty bottles -glass or plastic- back, and return the deposit to the customer. Germany is now seen as a pioneer with a very high rate of returning and recycling.
Return the plastics believes an EU regulation can ensure a fluent transition and learn from other countries’ examples.
Return the plastics is hopeful this deposit system can solve multiple factors at once: the process of recycling requires less energy or raw materials than the production of entirely new bottles, plastic bottles will no longer be found as trash on the streets but picked up instead and this system will create awareness about the environmental cost of the production of plastic on our planet. The activities would be mainly environmental campaigns.