PS: Consumers of return bottles, traders, producers and decision-makers

Consumers in Slovenia are ready to embrace returnable glass bottles, according to the Consumer Association of Slovenia (ZPS). Now, retailers, producers, and policymakers are tasked with making this transition possible. According to ZPS, only a small percentage of drinks in returnable packaging are available in retail stores, despite 92 percent of consumers saying they would buy such products if they were more accessible. The share of drinks in returnable packaging has dropped significantly over two decades, from 39 percent in 2000 to just 18 percent in 2024. Most of this remaining share comes from the hospitality sector, according to ZPS's recent meeting on the Clean project. Retail inspections show that only beer and mineral water can be purchased in returnable glass bottles. At stores, there is no clear labeling indicating which bottles are returnable, refund amounts are not specified, return machines are often placed in less visible areas, and return rules vary widely. A survey among consumers shows the issue lies not in their willingness but in availability: 91 percent occasionally miss drinks in returnable packaging, while only one in five regularly buys them. The main barrier is limited choice, followed by unclear and complex return systems. One-third of respondents could not identify or had difficulty recognizing returnable packaging, and weight was a problem for nearly one in five consumers. Consumers most want returnable packaging for milk (67 percent), water and juices (58 percent), and yogurt (57 percent). Returnable glass packaging is also a healthier option, according to Anja Bubik from the Faculty of Environmental Protection. She noted that more than 14,000 chemicals are known in food contact materials, with one in four detected in the human body. Experts discussed solutions at a roundtable including representatives from the Association of Agricultural and Food Companies, the Drinks Industry Association, the Association of Slovenian Breweries, and the Association of Distillers. Stakeholders emphasized that consumers have shown readiness for returnable packaging, and reuse should not be an exception but a simple and accessible option. Stakeholders highlighted that returnable glass packaging plays a key role in reducing packaging waste and complementing effective recycling systems. The drinks industry aims to increase the use of reusable packaging in the next five years while exploring environmentally and economically viable paths for broader implementation. As part of its Clean project, ZPS proposes four changes: clear labels, greater product availability, simplified returns, and an efficient common system.