The most popular types of packaging handed over to the public by the deposit system are PET bottles and aluminum cans, according to data from the "Deposit Packaging Operator" company running the scheme.
The 38,243 empty deposit packages handed in at deposit points so far included 268 different types of products from 43 beverage manufacturers. The packages have been delivered to a total of 698 different automatic deposit points where taromats are installed.
Unsurprisingly the largest amount of delivered packaging was registered in densely-populated Rīga, where the population handed in over 19,306 packaging units, while the lowest numbers were recorded in Latgale (10%) and Zemgale (10%).
"The deposit system is growing every week and by the end of April most of the deposit packaging on the shelves of stores will have a deposit symbol," said Miks Stūrītis, chairman of Deposit Packaging Operator.
During the first weeks, the population most often handed over PET bottles (39%), aluminum cans (11%) and universal refillable (AU) glass bottles (9%) to deposit points.
The released data also gives an eye-opening insight into the drinking habits of the Latvian population. The most popular products that have been returned under the deposit system in the first three weeks have a certain consistency to them:
- Carbonated and non-carbonated drinking water "Aset" 1.5L bottles;
- Beer "Mežpils Traditional" 0,5L bottles;
- Beer "Holsten" 0,5L cans;
- Beer "Miezītis Stiprais" 1L bottles;
- Beer "Grunberger" 0.5L cans;
- Beer "Tuborg" 0.5L cans;
- Beer "Cesis Premium Original" packaging;
- Carbonated mineral water "Darida" 1.5L bottles;
- Beer "Cortes Tequila" in 0.33L bottles.
As previously reported by LSM, the deposit packaging scheme was finally launched on February 1 after many years of discussion.
