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Efficient waste management is increasingly starting with the smart management of collection and emptying processes. With Mr. Fill , Interzero is now offering a solution in Austria that addresses exactly this need.

The product portfolio includes solar-powered waste containers with built-in compaction systems and digital fill-level sensors. Compacting the waste allows for more efficient use of the container’s available volume. At the same time, fill-level data enables more needs-based planning of emptying and collection routes.

This offers several benefits for cities, municipalities, infrastructure operators, and businesses: fewer unnecessary collections, more efficient route planning, reduced logistical effort, and a cleaner environment thanks to closed-loop systems.

These solutions complement Interzero’s existing waste management offerings and combine operational waste management with digital control. The goal is to make processes more efficient, make better use of resources, and put the circular economy into practice in day-to-day waste management.

With the exclusive distribution of Mr. Fill in Austria, Interzero is expanding its portfolio to include yet another technology for modern, data-driven waste management

Would you like to learn how Mr. Fill can be used in your organization?

For further information and individual advice, please contact us at shop.austria@interzero.at .

The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) significantly increases the requirements for companies. In addition to recyclability, labeling, EPR, and technical documentation, companies must also adapt their responsibilities, processes, and data structures accordingly.

This is exactly where the collaboration between Interzero and Future Response comes in. The two partners combine operational expertise in packaging and compliance with experience in organizational transformation.

Interzero supports companies in the practical implementation of these processes—from EPR registration and licensing, through recyclability assessments and laboratory analyses, to recycled material solutions and the preparation of technical documentation.

Future Response complements these services by adding an organizational perspective. Among other things, the focus is on roles and responsibilities, governance structures, processes, and the necessary data and IT infrastructure. The goal is not only to meet regulatory requirements on a case-by-case basis, but to embed them permanently within the company.

For companies, this results in an integrated approach: First, an analysis is conducted to determine which areas, Packaging, and processes are affected by the PPWR. Building on this, specific work packages can be defined and implemented step by step—from packaging and data to organizational and compliance processes.

The advantage: Technical requirements and internal implementation are not considered separately. This provides companies with a structured foundation for efficiently establishing and ensuring long-term PPWR compliance.

Would you like to learn more about the joint PPWR offering from Interzero and Future Response? For detailed information and a personalized consultation, please contact our Zero Waste Solutions Team at zerowaste@interzero.at.

The circular economy makes a measurable contribution to climate and resource protection. For many years, Interzero has been working with Fraunhofer UMSICHT to determine the actual extent of this contribution as part of the “resources SAVED by recycling” study.

The scientific life cycle assessment compares recycling processes with manufacturing from primary raw materials and highlights the savings in resources and emissions achieved by recycling materials.

The latest results for 2025 show that by recycling approximately two million metric tons of recyclable materials, Interzero has saved more than 7.2 million metric tons of primary resources in Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, and Slovenia. At the same time, these recycling activities prevented the emission of more than 900,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

The impact is particularly evident in plastics recycling: In 2025, Interzero kept approximately one million metric tons of plastics in the cycle. According to the study, the resulting savings in resources are equivalent to about three million barrels of crude oil, or roughly 9.5 million 50-liter fill-ups for passenger cars.

The results clearly show that recycling not only keeps recyclable materials in the cycle but also reduces the demand for primary raw materials and the associated environmental impacts. Especially in light of scarce raw materials and uncertain supply chains, a well-functioning circular economy is thus becoming increasingly important for companies as well.

Which waste category is the right one? Which waste code should be used? Especially when dealing with a wide variety of materials and waste streams, correctly categorizing waste in day-to-day business operations can be time-consuming.

Interzero is now offering a new digital search function for this purpose. The Waste catalog in accordance with the Austrian Waste List Regulation allows users to search specifically by the name of a waste item or by a known waste code and quickly find the corresponding waste type.

The tool thus provides practical support for companies that want to classify their waste correctly and prepare it for further disposal or recycling.

The waste catalog also makes it easier to get started when inquiring about waste disposal: Companies can identify the appropriate waste type and then provide Interzero with the relevant information regarding the type and quantity of the material. Based on this information, the next steps or a customized solution can be evaluated.

The new waste catalog thus complements Interzero’s digital waste management solutions by providing an easy-to-use tool for day-to-day operations.

Would you like to check a waste code or correctly classify a type of waste?

Use the new Interzero Waste Catalog and find the correct classification in just a few clicks.

The more locations, waste streams, disposal partners, and documents there are, the more complex operational operational waste management. The Interzero Waste Management Platform helps companies organize these processes centrally, digitally, and across all locations.

The platform consolidates relevant waste data and environmental documents in one place. It allows users to schedule pickups, manage information across multiple locations, and access important documents centrally. This reduces administrative workload and creates greater transparency in day-to-day waste management.

A key advantage lies in the structured use of existing data. Based on the collected information, customized reports and analyses can be generated—for example, regarding waste volumes, costs, and waste streams. These analyses can support management, controlling, and finance functions while also providing a data foundation for sustainability and non-financial reporting.

Operational processes can also be managed more easily through the platform. Scheduled pickups can be viewed in the calendar, and additional services can be recorded and requested as needed. For compaction machines equipped with the appropriate technology, pickup requests can also be triggered automatically.

Centralized control offers an additional advantage, especially for companies with multiple locations: processes can be standardized, and information can be consolidated across all locations. Customizable access rights make it possible to tailor usage to different tasks and responsibilities within the company.

The Interzero Waste Management Platform has a modular design and is tailored to a company’s structure, processes, and requirements. Our experts guide the implementation and provide ongoing support during use.

Anyone interested in learning more about the platform can try it out for free for up to three months as part of a trial period.

Would you like to test the Interzero Waste Management Platform in your company?

Learn more about its features and use cases, and start a free trial of up to three months if you’d like.

Below you will find the designated collection regions as well as all essential information regarding the bidding process, the schedule, and participation.

Lottery for the Collection Regions

Under the direction of the responsible federal ministry (BMLUK), Interzero was randomly assigned a total of 13 political districts on June 8, 2026, in accordance with Section 29b(8) of the AWG, based on its market share. In these regions, Interzero will be responsible for organizing the collection of lightweight and metal packaging—and, in five political districts, glass packaging as well—from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2032.

Interzero was assigned the districts of Eisenstadt-Umgebung, Wiener Neustadt-Stadt, Hollabrunn, Urfahr-Umgebung, and Murtal for the collection of lightweight and metal packaging as well as glass packaging. In addition, Interzero was assigned the districts of Mattersburg, Klagenfurt-Land, Villach-Land, Melk, Zwettl, Linz-Land, Hartberg-Fürstenfeld, and Innsbruck-Stadt for the collection of plastic and metal packaging.

Since municipalities or municipal associations in some regions have exercised their right of entry as stipulated in the AWG, the collection of lightweight and metal packaging, as well as glass packaging, is being put out to bid in the following collection regions:

Bidding Process

The contract for packaging collection will be awarded through a negotiated procedure with prior publication in accordance with the principles of public procurement law. This does not result in the full application of the Public Procurement Act (BVergG) 2018; furthermore, the BVergG 2018 does not apply to this specific tender.

The solicitation will be conducted in accordance with the principles of free and fair competition, ensuring equal treatment of all applicants and bidders, and in compliance with the requirement of transparency. Contracts will be awarded to qualified, capable, and reliable companies at reasonable prices.

The process is divided into a participation phase (Stage 1) and a bidding phase (Stage 2) with an option for negotiation. Applications and bids will be evaluated according to the best-bidder principle. We will engage independent experts to verify and document compliance with the principles outlined above.

Schedule and Additional Information

The application period begins on September 7, 2026, and ends on October 18, 2026. The bid period is expected to begin in mid-November 2026.

The contract is expected to be awarded to the highest bidders, and the names of the highest bidders for each collection region and collection category are expected to be published in April 2027.

Further information can be found in the tender documents. The announcement and publication of the documents will take place on September 7, 2026, on the ANKÖ tender platform.

Free registration on the platform is required to view the tender documents and to submit a bid.

ANKÖ Tender Platform: https://www.vergabeportal.at

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:

Email: ausschreibung@interzero.at

Julian Hafner
Phone: +43 660 305 502 2

Sophie Danhel
Phone: +43 664 888 012 27

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, or PPWR for short, will be phased in across all EU member states starting August 12, 2026. Among the first relevant changes are restrictions on certain substances, specific PFAS limits for food packaging, and requirements for technical documentation and proof of compliance. Existing Austrian requirements regarding the collection, recycling, and reporting of Packaging generally remain applicable during the transition period, provided they are compatible with the PPWR.

For distributors and manufacturers of coffee and tea products, there is an additional relevant change in Austria: Certain single-serving units that are used and disposed of together with the product are now expressly covered by the European definition of packaging.

Coffee capsules, coffee pods, and tea bags are now considered packaging

The legal basis for the established definition of packaging can be found in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) 2025/40: This explicitly states that permeable coffee or tea bags, as well as certain single-serve units for coffee or tea systems, are considered Packaging if they are used with the product and disposed of together with it.

As of August 12, 2026, these include, in particular:

• Capsules for coffee and tea
• Coffee and teapads
• Bags for coffee and tea (including any paper labels/tags, strings, and clips)

This new classification has immediate practical implications. As soon as these products are classified as Packaging, they are subject to licensing and reporting requirements under the Austrian Packaging Ordinance and must therefore be included in the volume report.

New Reporting Requirements: Who Is Affected, and When Must Quantities Be Reported?

This applies to companies that place such pre-filled single-serving units on the market in Austria for the first time. These include, in particular:

• Austrian manufacturers and brand owners,
• bottlers and packagers,
• importers who bring filled products from abroad into Austria.

Exception: In principle, there is no obligation if the foreign supplier has already properly licensed the Packaging. For shipments from abroad, it is therefore essential to verify who is fulfilling the Austrian obligation. Proof of prior licensing should be provided through a legally binding declaration from the supplier.

Although the new packaging classification takes effect on August 12, 2026, the relevant packaging volumes for coffee and tea products do not need to be reported until October 1, 2026.

Depending on the volume and, consequently, the applicable reporting interval, this results in the following initial reports:

• Monthly filers: First time in the October 2026 filing
• Quarterly filers: First in the fourth quarter of 2026
• Annual filers: Starting with the 2026 annual report

Important: For the 2026 reporting year, the volumes for the entire calendar year do not automatically need to be reported. The quantities placed on the market as of October 1, 2026, are decisive.

How are capsules, pads, and bags reported?

Currently, Austria does not yet have separate tariff categories for coffee or tea capsules, pods, and bags. Until the new categories are introduced, the quantities must be assigned to the existing household tariff categories.

The classification is based on the material and its composition.

• Aluminum coffee or tea capsules: Aluminum Household
• For plastic capsules, the plastic content is the deciding factor:
  • Plastic content of (at least) ≥95%: Household Plastic
  • Plastic content (less than) ≤ 95%: Composite material household waste
• Coffee and tea pads made of filter paper: Household paper
• Paper coffee or tea bags: Paper household items (including paper labels/tags, string, and clips)

The existing categories are based on the current legal and regulatory framework. The Austrian legislature is working on a comprehensive revision of the Waste Management Act (AWG). A specific effective date has not yet been set, but it is expected to take effect in 2028.

What weight must be reported?

Only the weight of the packaging must be reported. The coffee or tea contained within does not count toward the reportable packaging weight.

The packaging weight must be determined without the contents.

Summary: What Companies Should Specifically Do Now

1. Identify Your Product Portfolio
   Identify single-serve coffee and tea products in your product line that fall under the new packaging definition.
2. Clarify Responsibilities
   Determine who first places the filled products on the market in Austria and who is responsible for licensing.
3. Check Material Composition
   For each product variant, check whether the packaging is made of aluminum, plastic, paper, or a composite material.
4. Enter the weight without contents
   Determine the packaging weight without contents for each product variant.
5. Assign a rate category and submit a report
   Assign the packaging to the currently available household tariff category and include the quantities placed on the market as of October 1, 2026, in the respective reporting period.

Do you have questions about proper classification or reporting quantities?

Interzero can help you classify your packaging, select the correct rate category, and fulfill your reporting obligations in Austria.

Companies that are already fulfilling their obligations through Interzero should first check whether they place coffee or tea capsules, coffee pods, or tea or coffee bags on the market in Austria. If so, these quantities must be included in the existing tariff categories starting with the relevant reporting period.

If you have any questions, please use the contact options directly in the customer portal so we can provide you with specific assistance, or contact your personal representative.

Not yet working with Interzero? We’d be happy to work withyou to determine what obligations the PPWR imposes on you and how you can report your packaging volumes in compliance with the law. Please use the contact form below for this purpose.
👉 Go to the contact form

The Textile EPR is drawing nearer. In the future, manufacturers, importers, and retailers will be held more accountable for the entire life cycle of their textiles. To this end, EU member states must introduce mandatory extended producer responsibility systems by April 2028.

The situation in Austria also illustrates just how urgent the need for action is: In 2023, approximately 213,000 metric tons of textile waste … Only 24 percent of these were collected separately. As a result, a large portion of used textiles still does not enter suitable processes for reuse and high-quality Textile Recycling.

For us, therefore, the recent exchange as part of a multistakeholder process coordinated by CIRCULAR REPUBLIC marked an important starting point. More than 20 organizations from across the entire textile value chain worked together to determine the framework conditions required for an effective EPR system. Participants included companies and organizations from the fields of production, retail, collection, sorting, recycling, and material innovation.

Among other things, the focus was on clear, common standards, a competitively organized system, targeted research funding, and transparent goals for true textile-to-textile recycling. It will be crucial not only to define responsibility in formal terms, but also to coordinate collection, sorting, and recovery in such a way that a functioning Material Cycles may arise.

We are already working intensively on the upcoming expanded producer responsibility for textiles and bring our experience with EPR systems and the circular economy to the discussion. In upcoming issues of our Interzero Insights, we’ll keep you updated on further developments and the specific implications for companies in Austria.

Source of Austrian waste data: BMLUK, Waste Management 2025.

The PPWR will generally take effect on August 12, 2026. However, not all requirements will take effect at the same time. While certain provisions regarding Recyclability, while requirements regarding labeling or recycled content will take effect at a later date, the first specific requirements must be taken into account as early as August.

As a result, companies are currently facing primarily practical questions:

• Which packaging and packaging components are affected?

• What role do we play as producers, importers, distributors, or retailers?

• What are the rules for private label and contract bottling?

• Which packaging data do we need to obtain from our suppliers?

• What technical documentation and declaration of conformity are required?

• What happens to packaging that has already been produced or is in storage?

In our new PPWR FAQ, we’ve compiled the 30 most important questions from customer interactions, sales, and consulting, and provided clear answers to them.

The content is divided into four subject areas:

1. Am I affected, and what role do I play?

1. What do I need to do by or on August 12, 2026?

1. What data, documents, and supporting evidence do I need?

1. What will be the future requirements regarding recyclability, labeling, recycled materials, and EPR?

Since certain specific provisions are still being clarified through additional EU legislation and technical guidelines, we also clearly outline where clear guidelines already exist, where a case-by-case assessment is necessary, and which questions cannot yet be definitively answered.

This will give you a quick overview and a solid foundation for preparing the next steps for your company in a structured way.

Food-grade recycled materials from the yellow bag have long been considered a major challenge in plastics recycling. With a new recycling plant in Germany, we are now creating the conditions to produce high-quality recycled polypropylene for use in food packaging, thereby further closing material loops.

This development is of great importance to manufacturers, brand owners, and retailers. This is because packaging requirements are constantly increasing. The European PPWR, increasing requirements for the use of recycled materials and the expectations of customers and consumers are driving up the demand for high-quality recycled raw materials.

While food-grade recycled materials have already become established for PET, comparable solutions for polypropylene are still in their infancy. This is precisely where our investment comes in. The goal is to produce high-quality recycled materials from used packaging that can be reused for sensitive applications in the food industry.

This development opens up new opportunities for Austrian companies. The availability of high-quality recycled materials will play an important role in the future in order to Circular Economy Implementing the circular economy in practice, meeting regulatory requirements, and designing packaging to be sustainable in the long term.

With our international expertise in recycling and materials, we drive innovation throughout the entire value chain and lay the foundation for tomorrow’s high-quality material cycles.

Learn more about the new recycling plant and our investment in food-grade recycled materials.

Would you like to know how this development will affect your packaging, your recycling strategy, or the requirements of the PPWR …might have? Our experts will be happy to advise you zerowaste@interzero.at