Since 1999, Norsk Resirk has made Norway a global leader when it comes to depositing and recycling non-refillable plastic bottles and beverage cans. 90 per cent of plastic bottles are returned, while the figure for cans is 92 per cent. All deposited containers are recycled. The 300 million cans deposited in 2008 provided 5100 metric tonnes of aluminum for new cans, while 95 million bottles provided 3600 metric tonnes of plastic for new plastic products.

Norsk Resirk is a non-profit system whose sole purpose is to operate an effective return scheme for non-refillable beverage packaging. The main goal is to collect and recycle as much as possible, thus contributing to a better environment and lowering public environmental excise taxes.
 

Lower taxes and prices
All manufacturers and importers of beverages in cans or non-refillable plastic bottles can enrol their products with Norsk Resirk. This allows them to benefit from the reduced excise tax rate Norsk Resirk has obtained as a result of the high returns. The excise tax decreases as the returns increases, meaning that 92 per cent returns for cans translates into a 92 per cent discount on the excise tax. This allows the products to be sold at a lower price.

Distinctive deposit symbols
Products included in the deposit system display Norsk Resirk’s distinctive deposit symbol. This symbol assures the consumers that the deposit will be refunded when the empty packaging is returned. Norsk Resirk’s easy-to-read symbol also guides store staff that handle returns manually. Every can or bottle is also marked with a bar code that can be read by reverse vending machines. This ensures an accurate overview of the percentage of sold products that are returned.

Friendly to the environment
All deposits are recycled. Aluminum cans become new soft drink and beer cans, while bottles provide raw plastic for new plastic products. Re-used aluminum requires 95 per cent less energy consumption than new metal. The collection process itself is also environment-friendly, since spare capacity on suppliers' trucks is used to transport the collected cans and bottles from the deposit points to regional depots, and because packaging is densely compacted before being shipped to recycling.

Backed by trade and industry
Norsk Resirk is co-owned by organisations in trade and industry: Norwegian Association of Wholesale Grocers (33.5 %), Coop Norway (15 %), Norwegian Federation of Petrol Dealers (1.5 %), The Norwegian Brewers’ Service Office (35 %), Grocery Manufactures’ Service Office (7.5 %), Federation of Norwegian Food and Drink Industry (7.5 %).