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Frequently asked questions & answers

We have gathered answers for some frequently asked questions. You can search for questions or filter categories by clicking the category you want to know more about. To go back and show all questions, simply click "Show all".

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Breweries, Producers & Importers

Private citizens

Association

Store with deposit machine

"Do the caps have to remain on the bottle?

Are grocery stores required to accept cans and bottles in the deposit recycling system?

In Sweden, it is voluntary for stores to join the deposit system and receive deposit cans and bottles. At present over 3,000 stores all over Sweden have joined in.

Can I leave foreign cans and bottles in the Reverse Vending Machines?

Why do I not get a deposit for my can or bottle, even though it has a deposit mark?

Our association are hosting a big tournament or are going to collect deposit at an event. Can we be sponsored with collcetion containers?

Yes, it is possible to apply for sponsorship of collection containers. You apply by contacting our customer service. Depending on the situation, a decision is made if we can sponsor with containers and in that case which container, and how many.

Why can there only be PET bottles with a Swedish deposit mark in the PET bags?

Apart from the cans, which almost solely are made of aluminium (there are just a few metal cans) , we can't ensure that the plastic in foreign plastic bottles or bottles without deposit are put together with the proper type of plastic for us to be able to recycle them in our system. A mixture of the wrong sorts of plastic can ruin the recycling process and the material can therefore not be used for making new PET bottles.

Why is there a limit on how many imports there can be in the bags?

There has been no deposit paid for imported cans and it is therefore no deposit to be paid out. However, when it comes to our club concept we have made an exception and pay a certain amount of compensation in addition to what the material is worth. For us to be able to run the deposit system and continue to have a good level of compensation for associations, we have set a limit of how many imported cans there can be in the bags. The limit for how many imported cans there can be has been calculated via an average of the standard bags that have come to us. We will do sample tests on the association bags to control the level amount of imported cans.

Why have I received a letter saying that our bags consist of mixed material, garbage or are underfilled?

Returpack continuously receives reports from our carriers regarding the quality of the bags that have been handed in. If we notice that an association has been careless and does not follow the regulations that exist around the association bags, we will send out a reminder letter so that you have a chance to correct the error. If the error is recurring, it can lead to a deduction on your compensation.

Why do we have to separate cans and PET bottles in the bags?

When Returpack picks up your bags in a store or at a deposit point, we do this with the same trucks that pick up the cans and bottles from the store's deposit machines. The trucks are divided into two compartments, one for can and one for PET. In order for the recycling process to be as good as possible, we keep the two types of packaging separated all the way through the flow until the old cans and bottles become new cans and bottles.

How full can the bags be when we hand them in?

Since the compensation is based on a standard of all collected bags, it is important that the bags are completely full. It does not matter how many cans or bottles are in the bag or if they are flattened or whole. A full sack has about a decimeter of sack left from the top (equivalent to about a clenched fist) to be able to attach the bag closure.

Why is there a limit on how much deposit packaging our association can collect?

Our offer for clubs and associations can be seen as a form of sponsorship for the association life from Returpack. In order for the money to be enough to pay compensation to everyone who is involved and who wants to be involved, we must set a limit. We have chosen to set the level at a limit that we think is reasonable for an association to achieve at most through a natural collection of deposit packages and import cans. If you exceed this level, you are welcome to register as a regular customer with Returpack to send in deposit cans and PET bottles, in which case, however, no compensation applies for imported or damaged jars.

How do I pay for bags and containers?

The easiest way to pay for the bags is to do it via a deduction on your compensation you receive for the bags that you handed in. If you do not want to pay via the compensation, you can also choose card payment or payment via invoice.

How much are you charging for the bags?

We will charge for the purchase price we have for the bags. The bags are always sold in ten packages and currently the price for 10 bags is SEK 59. Returpack will continue to stand for the shipping cost for the bags.

Why have you started charging for bags and containers?

When we started with the club concept, very few associations were involved and we wanted to evaluate whether the offer worked and whether associations were interested. Now there are over 2000 associations that collect deposit. In order for us to be able to maintain the same level of compensation as before, we must start charging for the bags.

What does the monthly report look like?

The monthly report contains a list of emptying receipts paid out during the period and information on how much deposit has been paid out each week. The store can thus make a total and exact reconciliation with Returpack.

Why should the store save emptying receipts?

The receipt is a document of value and must be saved until Returpack's monthly report has been sent out. If the memory in the machine has been lost or the machine has not been read by the machine supplier, you can quickly see it if you check the receipt/machine number against the monthly report. Should a receipt be missing in the machine's memory, but you have the physical one, you can send it to Returpack for manual registration, and you will receive the correct payment. If the receipt from customers is missing, it can be dofficult for Returpack to provide the correct compensation.

Why is the can/bottle not work, why does the customer not receive any deposit?

This can be due to various things, for example that it is a foreign can that is not part of our deposit system, that the bar code is broken, that the can/bottle has lost its shape or that the can is no longer in our system (too old).

Will those who picked up the empty goods register the number of bags and cartons respectively?

Yes, the breweries' and wholesalers' carriers must make a note on the delivery note the number of bags and cartons that are picked up in each store. The delivery note is important to save for comparison with the monthly report. It reports how many bags and cartons that Returpack received and counted.

Who provides or picks up cartons and bags?

It is the breweries and wholesalers who both sell cartons and bags to shops and restaurants and collect the empty goods. Please note that only cartons and bags approved by Returpack are used.