The Federal Council of Germany met this week (they are members of each state, and in some ways reflects the Senate of the US). So the main topic of this week's action? The Pfand (the deposit on bottles and cans).
I know....it's a bit amusing, but bear with me. Most of the info for the story comes HR (the regional public TV network).
When you walk into a drink-shop or grocery, there are various types of drinks which require a deposit on each bottle, can, or plastic bottle. This ensures that you bring it back and not dump it into the garbage system. This also means that the barcode label on the can, bottle or plastic item indicates it is a German-produced product.
Well....some products are exempt. Examples: milk products, wine bottles, wine cans, spritz-type drinks.
The pro-environment folks in Hessen and Lower Saxony pushed an agenda through their representatives at the Federal Council, and a discussion was held. The basic idea? Make all cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles in the Pfund-class (deposit required).
Adding more bureaucracy? Some folks would suggest that.
A lot of the plastic bottles simply end back at the factory as 'melt' candidates.
Adding to this.....you can go and buy your water products over in France, and avoid the stupid deposit game entirely.
As for the discussion? It's moved onto the next level. No one says it's guaranteed to pass, and even if it does.....it might be a year or two before you see this actually mandated.
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