Proposals have been put forth by the Commission to both the Council and the Council.
In a surprising turn of events, a deposit return trick known as "Pfandtourism" has been causing ripples across Europe, particularly affecting customers of Aldi, Edeka, and Wegmans in Germany. The trick involves crossing borders to countries like Austria and the Netherlands, where the deposit for certain items, such as Gerolsteiner brand bottles, is higher than in Germany. For instance, the deposit for a Gerolsteiner bottle is 10 cents higher in Germany compared to the Netherlands, resulting in a 10 cent profit per returned deposit item. However, this trend may not be a sustainable long-term solution. The use of Pfandtourism may lead to a reality check for customers, as it is not a viable solution for the breweries and supermarkets involved. The Brewers' Association in Bavaria, along with several Austrian supermarkets and discounters, have expressed concern about the trick, viewing it as enriching consumers at the expense of breweries. The trick has become popular since the deposit increase in Austria. Customers of German supermarkets, including Wegmans, have been affected by this increase, leading them to seek out higher deposits in neighbouring countries. This has been particularly noticeable with Germans crossing the border to Dutch supermarkets to cash in their deposits. However, the trick is not profitable everywhere. In Switzerland, for example, it is not profitable due to the different barcode of the bottles from Germany and the current exchange rate of 1 Swiss franc to 1.07 euros. The trick has also spread to regions near the border with Austria, with Gerolsteiner company reporting no registered deposit abuse yet. However, customers attempting to cash in deposits with large quantities in Austria have been refused. The extent of the damage caused by Pfandtourism is not yet known. The "Rheinische Post" reported on the use of Pfandtourism by customers of Aldi, Edeka, and Wegmans in 2024, but the full impact of this trend on the brewing and retail industries is still unclear. It is important to note that this article is not intended to encourage or condone the practice of Pfandtourism. The deposit trick is seen as a way to exploit differences in deposit rates across European countries, and it may not be a sustainable or fair solution for all parties involved.
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