The Environment Ministry has confirmed the introduction of deposits on non-returnable plastic, so-called PET, bottles, news wire SITA reported.
The ministry will release the necessary directive, within three months at the earliest, to specify the exact amount of the deposit, which should be between four and five Slovak crowns per PET bottle.
Under the new deposit system, retailers will be obliged to collect deposits on non-returnable PET bottles as well as packages for recycling.
Originally, this system should have been launched on October 1. But soft-drink retailers, producers and importers raised objections, postponing its launch.
Opponents to the deposit system view separated waste collection as a better solution. So far, this system has been introduced in 990 towns and villages across Slovakia. Introduction of this system into the remaining municipalities will require additional investments.
About 300 million PET bottles are used in Slovakia annually and their contribution to the devastation of the environment has been increasing.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
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