CroatiaCroatia’s refund system for beverage packaging, set to expand significantly from January 1, 2027, will include multi-layer cardboard packaging like Tetra Paks for milk and juices, as well as plastic packaging made from materials other than PET, such as HDPE, and small packages under two deciliters that were previously exempt. Consumers will pay a 10-cent refund per item at purchase, which they can reclaim by returning the properly labeled empty packaging. However, producers and retailers have expressed concerns over costs and insufficient infrastructure readiness, requesting a delay in implementation. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition states that the deadline has been known for some time and that all stakeholders had ample time to prepare. This expansion aligns Croatia’s waste management system with European regulations and the goals of the Green Plan.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives—citizens viewing the change positively as a step toward better waste separation, while producers and retailers express concerns about costs and infrastructure. It does not favor one side through loaded language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context. The报道
