Albert Heijn to begin deposit scheme on fresh juice bottles

Freshly squeezed juices and smoothies in plastic bottles from supermarket chain Albert Heijn's private label can be returned from next week for a deposit reimbursement. Until now, that was not possible, according to a spokesperson for the supermarket.

The organization that coordinates the deposit system in the country, Statiegeld Nederland, already announced in February that it would open the deposit system for all juices in plastic bottles. At the time, Albert Heijn stated that it would embrace this development, but it took a while to get everything arranged. From next Thursday, its own brand of plastic bottles will be on the shelves with a deposit included. These bottles were already made entirely from recycled plastic, says Albert Heijn.

Albert Heijn is not the only supermarket to take this step. Lidl will also introduce a deposit on all plastic juice bottles. This measure will come into effect this summer. From then on, packaging with a deposit can be returned to all 438 branches in the Netherlands.

Until recently, bottles with fresh juice could not be entered into the deposit system. This was partly due to the remnants that remained in the bottles. There is already a deposit obligation on plastic bottles with soft drinks, water, and juices to which sugar or water has been added.