Security deposit must be paid at time of purchase plastic bottles and cans to be redeemed when the item is disposed of at the correct collection point.
This is the bill submitted to Chamber of Deputies from the Democratic Party. In particular, by Silvia Roggiani and Eleonora Evi, together with the scientific director of the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS), Enrico Giovannini, and the coordinator of the «A good rendering» campaign Enzo Favoino.
The deposit return system is already in use in Europe
This is nothing new. The security deposit is a system for returning security deposits for single-use plastic and metal beverage containers it is already used in eighteen European countries.
How does it work
The system requires a small deposit when purchasing drinks. A sum of money is then returned when the empty packaging is thrown away at the collection point.
«We are among the parties most responsible for plastic waste in the sea»
A step to prevent the spread of rubbish, considering that in Italy – said MP Roggiani – there is «8 billion» between bottles and cans. «Currently – he added – a third of bottles escape the separate waste collection circuits, making our country one of the main causes of plastic spills into the sea. Therefore, we think it is necessary to introduce a deposit system for single-use plastic and metal beverage packaging in Italy as well. In Europe there is very successful experience with this model German case, which has achieved a recycling rate of 98%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the measures contained in this bill.”
