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Why not standardised returnable food jars etc?

  • 04-08-2005 8:24am
    #1
    air
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,834 ✭✭✭


    Just wondering why this isnt implemented?
    What are the major cons involved?
    I would have thought that if there was a rebate system (like that operated for cans in the US) which would be issued by a retailer when jars etc were returned in the specified condition etc, that suppliers could collect empties when dropping off deliveries and return them to factories to refill.

    Would there be more energy expended in the returning process than there would be in melting down the glass in a more central facility and making new receptacles?

    I would imagine that it would cause problems for new entrants into the irish food market etc, but surely it would help promote Irish businesses by making the market harder to enter for outsiders?

    I would have thought that about four sizes of glass jars would be plenty, say 200, 500, 750, 1000ml capacities respectively?

    Any thoughts?


Comments

  • #2
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    Look at the German system for glass recyling, nearly everything comes in glass there and it is almost infinitely recyclable.
    I wouldn't have thought that you would have to standardise sizes just materials.


  • #3
    air
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,834 ✭✭✭air


    That sounds great, I was only considering standardisation of sizes due to the fact that it may be more efficient to reuse rather than recycle rather than expending the energy required to melt down and recast the glass.
    I seem to remember from holidaying in Germany about 10 years ago that some types of glass items had a return fee payable on them (I remember a young lad who used to go through the recycling bins, picking out these premium items).


  • #4
    Dummy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 984 ✭✭✭Dummy


    OK I'm showing off my age now !!

    When I was a wee lad, you could take mineral bottles back to the shop and would get either 2 pence or a shilling per bottle. This was a thriving industry for youngsters at the time and meant that you didn't see empty mineral bottles on the side of the road like you do today because every child in the town was taking them back for the few bob.

    Time to go back to the old ways?

    BTW - I'm not really that old.


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