A report on Germany's packaging regulations claims that single-use PET beverage bottles are as ecologically sound as refillable glass, making a mockery of the controversial deposit system, according to A. Fletcher. The findings will provide ammunition for manufacturers that have been severely affected by the highly criticised scheme. Commissioned in May 2003 & conducted by the IFEU in Heidelberg, it examined the prerequisites imposed on the German packaging market by UBA, the national environment agency. It was completed in Aug/04 & used new 2002-3 production data & for the first time included all recycling outlets relevant to PET, from production to final recycling into new products. It met all German and international LCA standards. Critics will point out that it was commissioned by Petcore, the EU trade association representing the interests of the PET beverage sector.
