[Translate to English - Englisch:] Interzero Deposit Solutions

Interzero offers beverage manufacturers and resellers a tailor-made portfolio of logistics, counting and clearing services for deposits on non-refillable containers. With six stationary and three mobile counting centres throughout Germany. All managed by the team at Interzero Deposit Solutions, comprising 8 field employees and 25 in the back office, who handle services for deposits for non-refillable containers as well as the reverse logistics. Most of the counting centres are operated as partnerships with internal and external service providers. A familiar name at the Oberhausen Counting Centre: Interzero Repasack.

How it all began 

The deposit system was launched in Germany in 2006. To support this system, Interzero established largescale counting centres nationwide in Germany. Here, we were able to make use of resources from Interzero Repasack, who not only had the personnel but also the long-standing expertise in plant operations, as well as a spare factory building capable of meeting the necessary requirements for operating a system in compliance with the DPG standard. Today, 40 percent of the overall Interzero counting volume is handled in Oberhausen.

Challenges in deposit business 

The deposit business for non-returnables is both complex and hard-fought. Not least because, shortly after the system was launched, supermarkets and large retailers started adding reverse vending machines with the aim of winning customers and ensuring container recycling – with pickup and recycling being handled by the companies providing the machines. This trend also caused headaches for our Oberhausen operations until a significant increase in quantities was again seen in 2022.

One of the reasons for this is the steady rise in online order volumes and, in particular, the booming market for food and beverage delivery services, which has been expanding rapidly since the coronavirus pandemic. These service providers deliver goods – including beverages in non-returnable packaging – directly to consumers in their homes and also take back empty packaging, thereby ensuring a reliable supply of empties to Interzero.
Two years ago, deposits were extended to juice beverages, with dairy products following suit on 1 January 2024 – which has extended the product categories needing to be handled.

Figures and raw material recycling 

In 2023, we counted nearly 56 million containers in Oberhausen. Volumes are currently stable. While some markets are shrinking as a result of reverse vending machine rollouts, new delivery services are also joining as new customers. Raw materials – 80 percent clear PET, 10 percent coloured PET – are marketed by our team at RDB plastics. Another 10 percent – aluminium/tinplate cans plus some glass – is marketed by Interzero Deposit Solutions itself.

Conclusion: deposits remain a dynamic business 

Oberhausen is yet another example of how well internal cooperation is organised at Interzero. And knowledge sharing doesn’t stop at Germany’s borders, either. We are also talking to our Austrian and Polish teams about the inner workings of our counting centres, as these countries are soon to introduce deposit schemes