Pfand in Germany: how bottle and can deposits work

Pfand is a deposit on drinks sold in bottles and cans. In Germany, you pay it when you buy the drink, then return the empty container to a shop, vending machine, or collection point and get your money back. For newcomers, the system can seem confusing at first because it includes Mehrweg and Einweg, different logos, vending machines with restrictions, and packaging that is not covered by the deposit.

Read also: how to separate trash in Germany.

In short: what matters most

Einweg means single-use containers. Usually these are plastic bottles and cans with the DPG logo; the deposit is 25 cents.
Mehrweg means reusable containers. Usually these are glass bottles or sturdier plastic bottles; the deposit is most often 8 or 15 cents.
The return machine (Pfandautomat) prints a receipt voucher. You show it at the checkout, and the amount is deducted from your purchase or paid out in cash depending on the store’s rules.
It is better not to crush bottles: the machine needs the shape, barcode, label, and deposit mark.
Wine bottles, spirits bottles, and Tetra Pak cartons are usually not returned through a Pfandautomat: they are sorted as glass or packaging waste.

What Pfand is

When you buy drinks in Germany, the shelf price may be shown without the deposit. Next to it or on the price tag, you will often see zzgl. Pfand meaning “plus deposit.” This deposit is not part of the drink price: you get it back when you return the empty container through the collection system.

The idea behind Pfand is simple: containers should not end up in regular trash or be left on the street. Single-use bottles and cans are recycled after return, while reusable bottles are washed, checked, and filled again.

Mehrweg and Einweg: what is the difference

Reusable bottles (Mehrweg)

Mehrweg means that the bottle is used again. Most often these are glass bottles for water, soft drinks, and beer, as well as sturdier plastic bottles. Such containers may be marked Mehrweg, Mehrwegflasche, Leihflasche, Pfandflasche, or something similar.

Reusable containers usually include:

glass bottles for soft drinks;
beer bottles;
sturdy plastic bottles for water and sweet drinks;
some glass jars, for example for yogurt, if they show a deposit.

The deposit for Mehrweg is usually lower than for single-use packaging: most often 8 or 15 cents. The exact amount depends on the type of bottle and the producer, so it is best to check the price tag and the label.

Single-use bottles and cans (Einweg)

Einweg means packaging that is not refilled. After return, it is crushed and sent for recycling. In shops, this packaging is usually easiest to recognize by the DPG logo and the words Einweg or Einwegpfand.

Einweg usually includes:

thin plastic bottles for water, soda, juice drinks, and other beverages;
aluminum cans;
some single-use glass bottles with a deposit label.

For single-use bottles and cans, the deposit in Germany is 25 cents per container. This is the standard rule for single-use drink packaging between 0.1 and 3 liters if it is subject to the deposit requirement.

What usually does not have Pfand

Not every drinks container can be returned through the deposit system. Usually, these do not have Pfand:

wine bottles;
spirits bottles;
many bottles bought outside Germany;
Tetra Pak cartons, for example for milk and juice;
containers without German Pfand markings.

Tetra Pak is usually thrown into the yellow bin or yellow bag if that system exists where you live. Glass bottles without a deposit should be taken to public glass containers and sorted by color: white, brown, green. In most cities, you are not allowed to throw glass away noisily late in the evening, at night, on Sundays, or on public holidays; the exact hours are listed on the container or in city rules.

Where to return bottles and cans with Pfand

Supermarkets and discounters

The most familiar option is a Pfandautomat in a supermarket. You insert bottles and cans one by one, the machine counts the deposit, and it prints a receipt. The receipt must be handed in at the checkout of the same shop or chain where it was issued.

There is one important restriction: a store does not have to accept every possible container in the world, only packaging materials and types that it sells. Small stores of up to 200 m² usually accept only the brands they carry. That is why a Späti or small kiosk may refuse a large bag of bottles from a supermarket.

Beverage stores (Getränkemarkt)

A Getränkemarkt is convenient for crates (Kiste), reusable glass bottles, and beer containers. If you bought drinks in a crate, return both the bottles and the crate: it may have its own separate deposit as well.

Kiosks, Büddchen, and Späti

Kiosks often sell cold drinks with Pfand, especially beer and soda. You can usually return the containers there too if the shop sells that kind of bottle. But it is not a good idea to bring a large mixed bag of containers to a small kiosk: it may not have the space or the obligation to accept everything.

Pfandsammler and bottles left next to bins

In parks and along riverbanks, you may see bottles placed neatly next to a trash bin. This way, people do not throw deposit containers into the garbage and leave them for those who collect Pfand. Formally, a bottle left outside is still waste in a public place, so the best option is to return it yourself. If you still leave a bottle, do not place it in a walkway, bike lane, or anywhere it could break.

How to use a Pfandautomat

Check that the bottle is empty, not crushed, and still has its label and readable barcode.
Insert the container neck-first or the way the machine screen shows.
If the machine rejects the bottle, turn it so the barcode faces up or try another machine.
After all bottles are inserted, press the finish button and take the receipt.
Hand the receipt to the cashier or scan it at a self-checkout.

If the machine keeps rejecting a container, the reason is usually one of three things: it is not a German Pfand bottle, the store does not accept that type of packaging, or the label is damaged.

Common mistakes

Crushing cans and plastic bottles in advance. The machine may fail to recognize the shape and code.
Removing the label. Without the barcode and Pfand mark, return is often impossible.
Taking Mehrweg to the wrong place. Reusable bottles are best returned to a beverage store or wherever the same type of bottle is sold.
Confusing Pfand with glass recycling containers. If the bottle has a deposit, do not throw it into the Altglas container.
Keeping vouchers for months. The legal claim period may be long, but in practice it is easier to use the receipt right away before it gets lost or fades.

FAQ

Can I return a bottle to a different store than where I bought it?

Often yes, if the store sells the same type of container. For Einweg, the material and packaging category matter; for Mehrweg, the circulation system and assortment matter. Small shops may accept only brands from their own assortment.

Why does the machine refuse a bottle with Pfand?

Most often the label is damaged, the bottle is crushed, the container was bought outside Germany, or the store does not accept that packaging type. Sometimes it helps to turn the bottle so the barcode faces the scanner.

Do I need to wash bottles before returning them?

There is no need to wash them specially, but the bottles should be empty. Sticky or dirty containers may cause problems in the machine and are unpleasant for store staff.

What should I do with caps?

For plastic bottles, it is usually better to leave the cap on: that makes them easier to recycle together with the packaging. For glass bottles, follow local rules and the type of container.

The key point

Pfand in Germany is not a separate tax and not a tip for the store, but a refundable deposit. Look for the markings, do not damage bottles and cans, return Einweg through machines, and bring Mehrweg back to places that sell the same bottles or crates. That way you get your money back and keep recyclable containers out of regular trash.