Germany to extend mandatory deposit system for disposable plastic bottles

BERLIN, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The German government has approved the extension of the mandatory deposit system to all beverage bottles made of disposable plastic and to beverage cans from next year onwards, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) said on Wednesday.

The new law puts an end to some exceptions for beverages sold in plastic bottles and cans in Germany, according to the BMU. For example, carbonated fruit juices (spritzers) already had to add a deposit to the selling price, while non-carbonated fruit juices were previously not included.