What to look for
A scheme name, deposit class, refund value or approved wording near the barcode.
Condition matters
Machines and manual return points can require the container to be empty, identifiable and not crushed.
Use the correct jurisdiction
A mark from one country or state is not automatically refundable in another.
Common questions
Questions people ask
Does every beverage bottle have a deposit?
No.
Can a foreign container be returned locally?
Usually only if it is registered in the local scheme.
Do I need a receipt?
Many schemes do not require one, but return conditions vary.
Reference sources
RetuRO — Consumer information about Romania’s deposit-return systemOpen source ↗Singapore NEA — Beverage Container Return SchemeOpen source ↗Regulation (EU) 2025/40 — Packaging and packaging wasteOpen source ↗EU Decision 97/129/EC — Packaging material identification systemOpen source ↗ASTM D7611/D7611M — Resin Identification Coding SystemOpen source ↗U.S. EPA — How to recycle common materialsOpen source ↗
Checked 2026-08-16