Which countries have bottle deposit systems?

Over 40 countries and regions have deposit return schemes including Germany (Pfand), Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, 10 US states, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, and more. New countries like Austria, Singapore, Portugal, and the UK are launching systems in 2025-2027.

How much is the bottle deposit in Germany?

Germany's Pfand deposit is €0.25 for single-use plastic bottles and cans, €0.08 for reusable glass beer bottles, and €0.15 for reusable plastic bottles. Return them at any supermarket's Pfandautomat (reverse vending machine) to get your deposit back.

What country has the highest bottle deposit?

Finland has the highest deposits at up to €0.40 for large plastic bottles. Germany charges €0.25 for single-use containers. Norway charges NOK 3 (about €0.27) for larger bottles. In the US, Maine and Vermont pay up to 15 cents for wine and liquor bottles.

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Bottle Deposit Countries 2026 — Every Country with a Refund Scheme

      TL;DR: Over 40 countries and regions have bottle deposit return schemes (DRS), including Germany (Pfand: €0.25 per can/single-use bottle), Scandinavia (Pant: up to €0.40 in Finland), Australia, Canada, and 10 US states. Germany and Scandinavia achieve 85–97% return rates. New countries including Austria, the UK, Portugal, and Singapore are launching DRS systems between 2025 and 2027.
    

Last updated: February 2026

Over 40 countries and regions worldwide have deposit return schemes (DRS) for bottles and cans. Whether it's called Pfand in Germany, Pant in Scandinavia, or Container Deposit Scheme in Australia — the concept is the same: pay a small deposit when you buy, get it back when you return the empty.

If you collect bottles and cans anywhere in the world, CNTEM'UP helps you count them with your phone camera before returning.

Europe — 17+ Countries

Europe leads the world in deposit return adoption. Germany's Pfand system achieves a 98% return rate, making it the gold standard.

Country	Local Name	Deposit	Status
Germany	Pfand	€0.25 (single-use) / €0.08-0.15 (reusable)	Active
Sweden	Pant	SEK 1-2 (~€0.09-0.18)	Active
Norway	Pant	NOK 2-3 (~€0.18-0.27)	Active
Denmark	Pant	DKK 1-3 (~€0.13-0.40)	Active
Finland	Pantti	€0.10-0.40	Active
Netherlands	Statiegeld	€0.15-0.25	Active
Austria	Pfand	€0.25	New 2025
Ireland	Re-turn	€0.15-0.25	New 2024
Iceland	—	ISK 18 (~€0.12)	Active
Croatia	—	€0.07	Active
Estonia	—	€0.10	Active
Latvia	—	€0.10	Active
Lithuania	—	€0.10	Active
Malta	—	€0.10	Active
Romania	SGR	RON 0.50 (~€0.10)	New 2024
Slovakia	—	€0.12-0.15	Active
Hungary	—	HUF 50 (~€0.13)	New 2024
Portugal	—	TBA	2026
United Kingdom	DRS	TBA	2027

Germany — The Pfand System

Germany's deposit system is the most successful in the world with a 98% return rate. Every supermarket has a Pfandautomat (reverse vending machine). The system covers:

€0.25 — Single-use plastic bottles and cans (Einweg)
€0.15 — Reusable plastic bottles (Mehrweg)
€0.08 — Reusable glass beer bottles (Mehrweg)

Look for the recycling arrow logo on containers. Einweg = single-use (€0.25), Mehrweg = reusable (€0.08-0.15). Don't crush containers — machines need to scan barcodes.

Scandinavia — Pant System

Sweden, Norway, and Denmark all use the word Pant for their deposit systems. These countries pioneered deposit returns in the 1980s and have return rates above 90%. Finland uses Pantti and has the highest deposits in Europe — up to €0.40 for large plastic bottles.

Asia-Pacific

Country/Region	Deposit	Status
Australia (all states)	AUD 0.10 (~€0.06)	Active
Singapore	SGD 0.10 (~€0.07)	April 2026
South Korea	KRW 70-350 (~€0.05-0.24)	Active
Japan (some prefectures)	Varies	Partial

Australia — Container Deposit Scheme

All Australian states now have a deposit scheme paying 10 cents per container. Return at collection points or through the Return and Earn program. Australia processed over 7 billion containers since launching CDS nationally.

Americas

Country/Region	Deposit	Status
United States (10 states)	5-15¢	Active
Canada (most provinces)	CAD 0.10-0.25	Active
Barbados	BBD 0.10	Active
Ecuador	Varies	Active

In the US, 10 states have bottle bills: New York, California, Michigan, Oregon, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Iowa, and Hawaii. See our complete US states guide for deposit rates and return locations.

Canada has some of the most comprehensive DRS coverage — nearly every province has a program. Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario have the largest systems. Most provinces cover beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and water containers.

Middle East & Africa

Country	Deposit	Status
Israel	₪0.30 (~€0.08)	Active
Turkey	TBA	Active
South Africa	Varies	Partial

Countries Launching Soon

More countries are adopting deposit return schemes every year. Here's what's coming:

Country	Expected Launch	Deposit
Singapore	April 2026	SGD 0.10
Portugal	2026	TBA
Poland	2025-2026	TBA
United Kingdom	2027	TBA
Spain	Under consideration	TBA
France	Under consideration	TBA
Italy	Under consideration	TBA

Count Your Bottles & Cans — Anywhere in the World

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How Deposit Return Schemes Work

While the names differ — Pfand, Pant, Pantti, Statiegeld, DRS, CDS — the concept is universal:

Buy a drink — a small deposit (5-40 cents) is added to the price
Drink it — keep the empty container intact (don't crush it)
Return it — bring it to a reverse vending machine, collection point, or retailer
Get your deposit back — as cash, voucher, or digital credit

Countries with deposit systems consistently achieve 85-98% return rates, compared to 30-50% for countries without them. That's why more countries are adopting DRS every year.

Tips for Returning Containers Abroad

Don't crush containers — Machines everywhere need to scan barcodes. Crushed = rejected.
Check the label — Look for deposit logos (recycling arrows in Germany, "Pant" text in Scandinavia, DRS logo in Ireland)
Use supermarket machines — In most European countries, every supermarket has a reverse vending machine
Count before you go — Use CNTEM'UP to know your exact count and expected payout
Some containers are excluded — Dairy, large containers (>3L), and some glass may not be covered

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries have bottle deposit systems?: Over 40 countries and regions including Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Australia, Canada, 10 US states, Israel, South Korea, and many more. New countries join every year.
How much is the bottle deposit in Germany?: €0.25 for single-use plastic bottles and cans (Einweg), €0.15 for reusable plastic bottles (Mehrweg), and €0.08 for reusable glass beer bottles. Return at any supermarket's Pfandautomat.
What country has the highest bottle deposit?: Finland at up to €0.40 for large plastic bottles. Germany is €0.25 for single-use. Norway is NOK 3 (~€0.27) for larger bottles. In the US, Maine and Vermont pay up to 15 cents for wine/liquor bottles.
Can I return bottles from one country in another?: No — deposit containers must be returned in the country where they were purchased. The barcodes are country-specific and machines will reject foreign containers.
Do I need an app to return bottles?: No, but it helps. Some countries have official apps (BottleDrop in Oregon, Return and Earn in Australia). CNTEM'UP works globally as a counter — use it to count containers before returning them so you can verify your payout.