On February 23, two leading retail chains in the Czech Republic, Kaufland and Lidl, will launch a test project aimed at taking back beverage bottles and cans. Both companies, which are part of the Schwarz Group, will offer the service in three selected stores as a means of supporting the idea of introducing the backing of PET bottles and cans in the country. Currently, such bottles and cans are not backed up in the Czech Republic, but the Ministry of the Environment is preparing a legislative proposal for their possible introduction.

Customers who participate in the take-back program will receive discount coupons for their purchases in shops. The move is intended to make the entire system customer-friendly and determine whether people in the Czech Republic are willing to improve the collection of beverage containers. The pilot project will provide valuable experience for the setup of the entire system, similar to pilot projects that have been carried out in other backing countries.

According to Tomáš Myler, a spokesman for Lidl, the pilot project in stores is intended to support the idea of introducing the backup of PET bottles and cans in the Czech Republic. David Surý, the director of the environmental protection section of the Ministry of the Environment, believes the test project will help to verify whether the people of the Czech Republic are willing to support the backing system.

The Backup Initiative, which brings together some of the largest beverage producers in the country such as Coca-Cola HBC ČR and SK, Kofola, Mattoni 1873, Heineken ČR and Plzeňský Prazdroj, has long supported the introduction of the backing system. According to Kristýna Havlingerová, who spoke on behalf of the initiative, similar pilot projects in other backing countries have always provided useful experience that has helped to set up the system in a way that is comfortable for consumers.

In conclusion, the launch of the test project for the take-back of beverage bottles and cans by Kaufland and Lidl is a step in the right direction in the quest to introduce the backing of PET bottles and cans in the Czech Republic. The pilot project will provide valuable experience and help to determine whether the people of the country are willing to support the system, while also making the entire setup customer-friendly.

Article by Prague Forum