First: What is the Pfandpflicht system?
It is a small deposit (usually €0.25 or €0.15) that is added to the price of a drink at the time of sale.
The amount is refunded to the consumer when they return the bottle or can.
Main goal: to reduce waste and to encourage recycling.
Second: Which products are legally subject to Pfand?
Type of packaging – Mandatory deposit? – Amount
Plastic bottles (PET) < 3 litres
– Mandatory deposit: Yes
– Amount: €0.25
Metal cans (aluminium)
– Mandatory deposit: Yes
– Amount: €0.25
Returnable beer bottles (glass, reusable)
– Mandatory deposit: Yes (Mehrweg / reusable)
– Amount: €0.08 or €0.15
Carton packages (Tetrapak)
– Mandatory deposit: No
– Amount: —
Non-returnable glass bottles of mineral water (single-use)
– Mandatory deposit: Yes
– Amount: €0.25
Third: Are you legally obliged to register the packaging?
Yes, if:
you sell pre-packed drinks directly to consumers (for example, a grocery shop, a mini-market, a restaurant that serves bottled drinks, or a supermarket),
or if you import drinks from outside Germany or fill the drinks yourself.
In these cases, you must:
Register yourself with the “Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (LUCID)”
Registration website: www.verpackungsregister.org
Mandatory since 2019 according to the German Packaging Act (VerpackG).
Join a “Duales System” (dual system)
To finance collection and recycling (conclude a contract with a company such as Interseroh or Reclay).
Register bottles and cans that are subject to Pfand with DPG (Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH)
This applies only if you are the producer or main importer of the product.
Add a deposit label on the product
Either the official DPG Pfand logo,
or a clear notice such as “plus €0.25 deposit” / “zzgl. 0,25 € Pfand”.
Fourth: How do you register with the DPG system (for producers or importers)?
Step – Details
Registration with DPG
– Via the official DPG website.
Contract with a licensed printing company
– To print the barcodes and the official Pfand logo.
Submission of product data
– Product name, type of packaging, barcode, volume and other details.
Inspection and on-site verification
– DPG may carry out inspections and on-site audits.
As a small distributor (retailer), these steps are usually already taken care of by the large producers and bottling companies whose products you sell. However, you are still responsible for applying the deposit correctly (charging it at the sale and refunding it when the packaging is returned).
Fifth: How do you handle returned bottles and cans?
Method – Suitable for whom? – How it works
Reverse vending machines (deposit return machines)
– Suitable for larger supermarkets.
– The bottle or can is placed into the machine; the customer receives a voucher or coupon that can be redeemed for cash or used as a discount at the checkout.
Manual return via collection box
– Suitable for restaurants, cafés and small grocery shops.
– Bottles are collected manually and then returned to the supplier or wholesaler.
Settlement via the invoice
– If you buy your stock from a distributor or wholesaler.
– The distributor takes back the empty containers and credits the deposit through the invoice.
Sixth: Penalties for non-compliance
Violation – Possible penalty
Selling deposit-liable packaging without charging the Pfand
– Fine of up to €100,000.
Failure to register with the LUCID packaging register
– Fine of up to €200,000.
Using the DPG logo without authorisation
– Criminal offence that can be punished with a fine or imprisonment.
The editorial team and authors of the website make great efforts to provide accurate information based on intensive research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or certain details may remain uncertain. Therefore, please treat the information presented in the articles as an initial reference only, and always contact the competent authorities and official bodies to obtain confirmed and legally binding information.
