The compulsory deposit on cans and other single-trip packaging for beer, mineral water and lemonade is to be extended to alcoholic soft drinks, iced teas and other non-carbonated soft drinks. In future, there will be a a standard deposit of 25 cents per package. Single-trip packaging which can be classified as ecologically friendly - such as drinks cartons and bags, will be excluded. Fruit juice, wine, spirits, spirits mix drinks with at least 15% alcoholic content, milk and diet beverages will likewise remain exempt from the deposit. The Bundesrat passed the corresponding amendment to the packaging bill on 15 October. They also decided to annul the present criteria for returnable quotas, according to which a deposit on juice bottles was likely to be applied next spring. However, the federal cabinet and the lower house still have to approve this decision.
