During the first half of this year, Lithuanian residents returned almost 260 million glass and plastic bottles and metal cans to the deposit system.
According to the data of the public institution "Ožstatas systém administratorius" (USAD), the returned packages weigh more than 10 tons. This is 300 tons more than the Eiffel Tower weighs. True, such impressive results were planned.
Most beverage packages were returned in Vilnius, Beautiful ir Klaipėda – 56, 31 and 16 million tare units, respectively. Although almost 40 percent of all packaging is returned in big cities, the municipalities of Palanga, Druskininkai and Birštonas stand out for their activity. About 88 percent all packages return to taromats.
"Seeing how quickly the deposit system has caught on, this year we have set ourselves the goal of collecting and sorting 90 percent of the single-use beverage packaging placed on the market. Such efficiency is achieved by deposit systems in countries where they have been operating for decades, for example in Estonia or Scandinavian countries. Our predictions have come true - so far, packages are being collected as much as planned," the USAD general director notes.
The most active residents of the country return plastic bottles. In the first six months, 158 million, or almost 5300 tons, have already been delivered. Metal packaging ranks second, with over 88 million units collected. More than 12 million glass bottles were also returned.
Since every package participating in the system is tagged, it is known to the bottle and can precision how many and what packages have been released to the market, and how many have been returned. According to the USAD manager, this allows us to monitor trends in package returns, improve the system and find ways to make it even more efficient.
"Since the beginning of the activity, we have felt a great public interest in the bail system. It has become a symbol of a new, modern way to fight environmental pollution, so we feel obliged to regularly report on the results achieved.
We also pay great attention to informing beverage manufacturers and importers, who have to arrange their packaging, about the operation of the system and its financial results. It is thanks to responsible manufacturers that we have such an advanced and transparent system, which we can be rightly proud of not only in Lithuania, but also in the entire European Union," says G. Varnas.
