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Since the introduction of the one-way deposit system, beverage packaging in Austria is increasingly being returned to the cycle. Current evaluations show that the majority of containers are already being returned (source: Recycling Deposit Austria, 2026).

Aluminum in particular is proving to be a key material: it is technically recyclable without any loss of quality and is available in high purity thanks to separate collection in the deposit system. This lays the foundations for a functioning material cycle.

Collection becomes circulation: Aluminum as a key material

Functioning material flows are needed to turn collection into circulation. This is exactly where we come in.

Together with partners from the beverage industry and retail – including Stiegl, Ottakringer, Egger Getränke, Starzinger as well as REWE, BILLA, Penny and HOFER – we organize the recycling of the collected aluminium cans. We bundle the materials, market them specifically to recycling partners and return them to production as high-quality secondary raw materials.

On the basis of available recycling certificates from our recycling partners, the aluminum collected from the deposit system is fully recycled and can be used again for the production of packaging. In this way, the material remains in the cycle and the use of primary raw materials can be significantly reduced.

This example shows that the circular economy is not created through collection alone, but through the interaction of all those involved.

Interzero as an interface between trade, industry and recycling

We see ourselves as an interface between trade, industry and recycling. Through the targeted management and marketing of material flows, we help to ensure that recyclable materials remain available in high quality – and actually flow back into new products.

For companies, this means predictable material flows, reliable recycling quality and an active contribution to achieving regulatory and ESG targets.

The circular economy is gaining in importance: regulatory requirements vs. practice

The Austrian Sustainability Summit 2026 was fully booked and once again demonstrated the growing importance of the circular economy and resource issues. As part of the summit, the Circular Economy Stream as an independent conference format provides space for in-depth discussions and concrete solutions along the entire value chain.

We were there with the panel “With barrier papers to PPWR conformity and low EPR fees” and deliberately opted for a practice-oriented approach.

The focus was on the question of how companies can translate increasing regulatory requirements – particularly as a result of the PPWR – into concrete solutions at an early stage. This is because it has become clear with the entry into force of the first regulations, for example on “Substances in Packaging” (e.g. PFAS in accordance with Article 5): The debate about recyclability and material selection cannot be delayed.

Thomas Glatz, Managing Director Interzero Austria, comments:

The Circular Economy Stream has clearly shown how strong the need is for concrete, practicable solutions. Especially when it comes to topics such as PPWR and recyclability, it is no longer about theory, but about how companies can implement these requirements in practice in an economically viable way.”

The intensive exchange in the panel and the numerous discussions at our Meeting Point confirmed this: Companies are looking for concrete guidance to not only fulfill regulatory requirements, but to actively use them for their own transformation.

You can find more impressions and insights from the Austrian Sustainability Summit HERE

In Austria, waste prevention measures are promoted via approved collection and recycling systems. Packaging is handled by the Packaging Coordination Office (VKS) and waste electrical and electronic equipment by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Coordination Office (EAK). The aim is to reduce the quality and quantity of waste and to reduce environmental pollution.

Funding is provided for, among other things:

• Reduction of production and packaging waste

• Introduction of reusable or reuse systems

• Optimization of logistics processes to avoid waste

• Extension of product service life, for example through repairability

• Training and awareness-raising measures
• Repair projects and initiatives for the reuse of old electrical appliances

Pure basic research or measures without a clear focus on waste prevention are not eligible for funding. The submitted project must fulfill at least one defined focus.

Costs and project types for EAK and VKS:

The amount of funding depends on the type of project and organization. Small and large projects as well as material cost projects are possible; Depending on the category, subsidies of up to 360.000 euros per year.

Target groups:

The funding rate varies – depending on the applicant and system – between between 30 % and 100 %

Submission deadlines 2026:

• EAK (waste electrical and electronic equipment): until March 31, 2026
• VKS (Packaging): until April 13, 2026

The evaluation is based on clearly defined criteria such as waste prevention potential, environmental effects and economic viability.

More information on funding criteria, priorities 2026 and submission documents can be found here:

• PromotionInformation from the VKS in the field of Packaging 2026: https://www.abfallvermeidungs-foerderung.at/ausschreibungen/
• Funding information dof the EAK in the field of waste electrical and electronic equipment 2026 : https://www.eak-austria.at/foerderungen-zur-abfallvermeidung-und-reuse/

Our service for you: Interzero supports you in the structured conception and submission of your projects: From the definition of objectives to the derivation of measurable key figures and coordination with the relevant authorities. By embedding them in existing waste and recycling processes, projects are created that are not only eligible for funding, but also reduce costs and increase resource efficiency in the long term.

For companies, this means financial support while at the same time strategically developing their own waste and recycling management.

Are you planning a waste prevention project or would you like to check eligibility for funding? Arrange a personal consultation with our team. We will assist you with the design, submission and implementation.

On the occasion of Battery Day on February 18, the Waste Electrical Equipment Coordination Center, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, the Austrian Federal Fire Brigade Association and other industry representatives provided information about the risks of incorrectly disposed lithium batteries at a media event in Vienna. Incorrectly disposed batteries and rechargeable batteries are increasingly leading to fires in disposal and recycling companies in Austria.

A live experiment illustrated the potential hazards and the possible consequences for infrastructure, the environment and safety. If lithium batteries end up in residual waste, they are subjected to mechanical stress in waste collection vehicles or during sorting. Even minor damage can lead to short circuits and subsequently to fires.

The Association of Austrian Waste Management Companies recorded a total of 36 major fire incidents at disposal and recycling facilities in 2025. In several cases, incorrectly disposed lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries were suspected as a possible cause of fire. The damage not only affects plant operators, but also endangers employees and causes high property damage.

Interzero was represented at the event by Managing Director Thomas Glatz and supports companies in the legally compliant licensing and take-back of portable and industrial batteries as part of extended producer responsibility. As an approved collection and recycling system, Interzero organizes the proper collection, treatment and recycling of used batteries and ensures that legal requirements are complied with and volume flows are documented in a traceable manner. Separate collection is a central component of the Austrian system. Only if batteries are collected correctly can fire risks be reduced and valuable energy saved. resources recover.

For manufacturing companies, importers and retailers, this means clear licensing obligations, structured take-back systems and documented system participation. At the same time, internal collection and safety processes are becoming increasingly important in order to minimize risks in their own operations. With the gradual implementation of the EU Battery Ordinance, transparency, documentation and sustainability requirements are also increasing. This makes structured system participation even more relevant.

You can find further information here:

• in the press release of the BMLUK: https://www.bmluk.gv.at/service/presse.html

• in the Leadersnet report: https://www.leadersnet.at/news/97388,lithium-akkus-im-muell-verursachen-millionenschaeden.html

Would you like to review your collection and safety processes for used batteries? Talk to our team: zerowaste@interzero.at

The project combines design, recycling technology and material expertise. Plastic from Interzero’s recycling process was used in the manufacture of the jewelry and further developed in a targeted manner. Processing and quality testing took place at the Interzero competence center in Maribor, which specializes in innovative plastics processing and material development.

The nomination for the Plastics Recycling Award Europe 2026 underlines the potential of high-quality recycled plastics – even beyond traditional packaging applications. At the same time, the project shows how the circular economy can be made visible and tangible.

Read more about the project and the nomination in the full blog post: https://www.interzero.de/blog/detail/die-kunst-des-recycelns-korallenschmuck-aus-interzero-material-fuer-plastics-recycling-award-europe-2026-nominiert/

Companies with more than 100 employees are obliged under § 11 AWG 2002 to appoint a professionally qualified person as waste manager. However, many companies lack the training, time or personnel capacity to cover this role internally on a permanent basis. Audits by the authorities, new locations or uncertainties regarding documentation obligations are frequent triggers for external assignment.

The requirements are clearly defined: timely EDM reports, complete records on the type, quantity, origin and whereabouts of waste, compliance with official notices and ongoing monitoring of waste legislation requirements. Late reports or incorrect declarations can result in administrative penalties and liability risks. At the same time, inefficient disposal structures often lead to unnecessarily high costs.

Interzero provides external waste management officers throughout Austria and assumes the legally defined information, consulting and monitoring duties. These include appointments and reporting to authorities via the EDM portal, regular inspections, support in updating the waste management concept, employee training and communication with authorities and waste disposal companies. This is supplemented by structured site analyses and concepts for more efficient collection and disposal.

Interzero brings over 30 years of experience in the Austrian waste and recycling management market to the table. The integration into the corporate structure enables the rapid implementation of identified optimization potential, from the optimization of disposal logistics to the structured reduction of ongoing disposal costs.

For companies, this means: legal certainty, relief for management and an economically optimized waste organization.

Would you like to clarify whether there is an obligation for your company or whether the function should be outsourced? Arrange a personal meeting with our team: rsi.austria@interzero.at

Die EU Verpackungs- und Verpackungsabfallverordnungg PPWR in der Industriestrategie

Mit der EU Verpackungs- und Verpackungsabfallverordnung PPWR, veröffentlicht im Jänner 2025, gilt erstmals ein europaweit einheitlicher Rechtsrahmen für Verpackungen. Die Verordnung ist unmittelbar in allen EU Mitgliedstaaten anzuwenden und definiert verbindliche Ziele zur Reduktion von Verpackungsabfällen. Vorgesehen sind mindestens 5 Prozent bis 2030, 10 Prozent bis 2035 und 15 Prozent bis 2040. Damit betrifft die PPWR die gesamte Verpackungswertschöpfungskette.

Vor diesem Hintergrund gewinnt Kreislaufwirtschaft auch strategisch an Bedeutung. Die aktuelle Industriestrategie unterstreicht, dass Ressourcensicherheit, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und langfristige Planungssicherheit für Unternehmen zunehmend zusammen gedacht werden müssen. Regulatorische Anforderungen werden damit zu einem integralen Bestandteil unternehmerischer Entscheidungen.

Interzero Whitepaper “Verpackung und Nachhaltigkeit”

Das Whitepaper Verpackung und Nachhaltigkeit ordnet diese neuen Anforderungen strukturiert ein. Es zeigt, welche Unternehmen in welcher Rolle betroffen sind und welche Maßnahmen in den kommenden Jahren relevant werden. Ergänzt wird dies durch Praxisdaten und Einblicke, wie Unternehmen bereits heute reagieren, etwa durch den Einsatz von Recyclingmaterialien, die Reduktion nicht nachhaltiger Komponenten oder ein recyclinggerechtes Verpackungsdesign.

Ein zentrales Fazit: Nachhaltige Verpackungen sind nicht mehr nur eine regulatorische Pflicht, sondern ein strategisches Handlungsfeld. Viele Unternehmen setzen bereits mehrere Maßnahmen parallel um. Gleichzeitig besteht weiterhin Bedarf an Orientierung, um Anforderungen sinnvoll zu priorisieren und in eine klare Strategie zu überführen.

Das Whitepaper richtet sich an Unternehmen, die ihre Rolle im Kontext der PPWR besser verstehen und fundierte Entscheidungen für die kommenden Jahre treffen möchten. Interzero Austria unterstützt Unternehmen dabei mit einem strukturierten Ansatz, regulatorische Anforderungen einzuordnen und frühzeitig Handlungsfelder sichtbar zu machen als Grundlage für langfristig wettbewerbsfähige und regelkonforme Verpackungslösungen.

Effects of the new collection on recycling: the potential of the Yellow Bag

Since January 1, 2025, plastic and metal packaging in Austria has been collected uniformly in the Yellow Bag or Yellow Bin. The aim of the changeover was to simplify handling for households and improve the conditions for high-quality sorting. Today, modern sorting technologies make it possible to precisely separate the different material streams and make them usable for recycling. Feedback from the public shows that The joint collection is widely accepted and perceived as practicable.

In parallel to the new joint collection, the one-way deposit for plastic drinks bottles and cans was also introduced at the start of 2025. Since then, this packaging has been collected via a separate take-back system and is no longer collected via the Yellow Bag.

Deposit system shifts collection of Packaging

This simultaneous changeover will have a visible impact on collection volumes: For the transition year 2025, Interzero Austria expects a decline of around 7% in packaging collected in the Yellow Bag or Yellow Bin. While 231,000 tons were still collected in 2024, the current projection for 2025 is 214,000 tons. The decline is a direct result of the shift of certain packaging to the deposit system, not a reduction in collection behavior.

This development is relevant for companies for two reasons: Firstly, clean, comprehensive collection improves the quality of the recyclates available. Secondly, it becomes clear that the circular economy does not end with collection. The decisive factor is what happens afterwards – in other words, how the recovered materials can be fed back into suitable applications. This is precisely where Interzero comes in: with a holistic approach from collection and sorting to specific applications in new products.

An international case study from the cosmetics industry shows just how efficient and versatile recycled plasticsfrom the Yellow Bag can be today. Together with Interzero, La Biosthétique has developed packaging made from post-consumer recyclate that meets the highest quality and safety requirements. The example illustrates the potential of the correct use of collected materials and how the circular economy can work in practice.

On January 21, 2026, Interzero Austria was once again recognized as a leading company as part of the Leading Companies Austria annual launch event at Vienna Airport. The recertification confirms companies that combine sustainable corporate success with responsibility towards society and the environment.

The award is presented by Leitbetriebe Austria and recognizes companies that combine economic stability, innovative strength and sustainable action in the long term. The official presentation of the certificate was made by Monika Rintersbacher, Managing Director of Leitbetriebe Austria.

For Interzero, recertification is both a recognition and an obligation. As a leading, owner-managed environmental service provider with over 30 years of experience, Interzero supports companies throughout Europe on the path to a circular economy: with integrated solutions ranging from packaging licensing and take-back systems to recycling and closed-loop logistics along the entire material cycle. The aim is to combine ecological responsibility and economic efficiency and to translate regulatory requirements into practicable solutions.

With the renewed award as a leading company, Interzero Austria is pleased to start the year 2026 with a clear commitment to sustainable management and to continue to actively contribute its own experience to the exchange with other companies that act responsibly.

A new year means new goals – why not implement a resolution that will pay off for your company in more ways than one? With a clean and safe warehouse, optimized work processes and efficient disposal, you not only save time and money, but also make an active contribution to climate protection.

How does it work?
Through the use of Orwak recyclable material presses and Heger EPS compactors you can reduce transport journeys by up to 90% and reclaim valuable storage space. Less transportation means fewer CO₂ emissions – a clear plus for your sustainability balance sheet. At the same time, you save up to 16 working hours per tonne of recyclables compared to conventional outdoor container disposal.

Your advantage:

• More space: Free storage space for your core processes
• More security: Order reduces risks
• More efficiency: Optimized processes save time and costs
• More sustainability: Less transportation, fewer emissions

Interzero is your ideal partner: With a wide range of recyclable material presses and compactors from the manufacturers ORWAK AB and Heger we offer everything from a single source – from delivery to maintenance and repair.