FPÖ General Secretary NAbg. Christian Hafenecker today sharply criticized the deposit system for plastic bottles and cans that will come into force on January 1, 2025 and was introduced by Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler. This measure is a prime example of green symbolic politics that puts an equal burden on citizens, companies and the environment, while bringing hardly any measurable benefits. “The deposit system is expensive, inefficient and shows how ideologically driven the black-green government is. It brings nothing except higher costs, more bureaucracy and new hurdles for people,” said FPÖ National Council member Christian Hafenecker.
According to Hafenecker, the introduction of the reverse vending machines cost an incredible 300 million euros. “This money is ultimately borne by the citizens, be it through higher drink prices or indirectly through tax money. At a time when people are already struggling with rising costs of living, this is completely irresponsible,” criticized Hafenecker. In addition, the system will further fuel inflation, as retailers will inevitably have to pass on their rising costs to consumers.
Hafenecker emphasized that the deposit system poses new challenges, especially for older people: “Especially in rural areas, where shopping is often difficult anyway, older people are now confronted with additional routes and the complicated operation of the vending machines. This system completely ignores the needs of a generation that already has enough challenges to overcome. It’s another hurdle they have to overcome.”
The deposit system is also an existential threat for small local suppliers. “Many smaller shops have to pre-finance expensive vending machines and create storage capacity to temporarily store the returned bottles and cans. These additional costs and the bureaucratic effort are not affordable for many companies,” explained Hafenecker and continued: “Here, medium-sized businesses are being sacrificed in favor of large retail chains. The government is therefore accepting that many local suppliers in rural regions will have to close their doors.”
Another point of criticism from the FPÖ is the additional truck traffic caused by the deposit system. “The empty bottles and cans must be transported from the return points to centralized collection points. This unnecessary traffic leads to more CO2 emissions and more strain on our roads. “Ironically, this system contributes to environmental pollution instead of reducing it,” Hafenecker continued. “That is the opposite of what is supposed to be achieved.”
In summary, Hafenecker sees Gewessler’s policy as a massive overstretch of the budget and a further step towards economic and social strain on the republic: “Your measures are not only ideologically driven, but also completely unrealistic. They are driving Austria into a downward spiral of rising costs, growing inflation and increasing burdens on citizens. Gewessler is an example of the many black and green coffin nails that threaten our republic.”
Instead, the FPÖ is calling for practical and cost-efficient alternatives that do not require coercion or new burdens. “The existing waste collection system could be made more efficient at a fraction of the cost. Austria has one of the best recycling systems in Europe – it doesn’t need expensive and inefficient detours, but rather well-thought-out improvements,” said FPÖ General Secretary NAbg. Christian Hafenecker concludes.