All you need to know about the deposit system for bottles and cans (Q&A)

Separating plastic bottles and cans from general waste will change in Slovakia as of the New Year.

People will need to learn not to squeeze and trash bottles. Empty plastic (PET) bottles and cans will be collected in supermarkets and shops, with a deposit of 15 cents.

Households that typically drink bottled mineral water, soft drinks or canned beer will need to find how to store empty bottles and cans at home before taking them back to the shop.

Here are answers to some basic questions about returnable bottles and cans:

• Will the deposit fee apply to all PET bottles and cans?

• Which containers will the deposit not apply to?

• Will I pay a higher deposit for a 1.5-litre bottle than for a can?

• How will I know if there is a deposit fee for a container?

• What should I do with the PET bottles and cans that I buy next year, but in an older package?

• What if I trash the returnable container?

• Where will I be able to return the returnable containers?

• What if I buy mineral water in a plastic bottle at a petrol station on my way from Bratislava to Košice? Will I be able to return it anywhere?

• Should I squeeze the bottle, like I do now before trashing it in the yellow trash bin?

• When will I get my deposit back?

• Is there a deadline for returning PET bottles and cans?

• Can I return a bottle or a can that I bought abroad?

• What happens with the containers I return to the shop?

• How is the deposit system financed?

Deposit system for PET bottles and cans (9 photos)

Will the deposit fee apply to all PET bottles and cans?

The deposit fee will concern all single-use containers of drinks packed in plastic bottles or cans sized between 0.1 l to 3 l. They must contain more than 80 percent water.

Which containers will the deposit not apply to?