140 million bottles returned at ALDI Hungary

ALDI Hungary has announced that customers have returned approximately 140 million beverage containers via the country’s deposit return scheme (DRS) since its introduction at the beginning of 2024. The milestone has been reached through the use of REpont reverse vending machines installed across the retailer’s nationwide store network.

As part of Hungary’s DRS rollout on 1 January 2024, ALDI equipped each of its stores with at least one REpont machine, with a total of 246 devices now operating across 183 locations. In many instances, the machines have been installed in separate areas to ensure the return process does not interfere with regular shopping activity.

The system has seen consistent growth in usage, with each store averaging over 3,000 returned containers per day. In some stores, the daily return figure has exceeded 10,000 units. Of all returned packaging, 58% is made up of PET bottles, 36% is aluminium, and 6% is glass. Notably, around one in every eleven beverage containers returned through the national DRS has been deposited at an ALDI store.

In terms of reimbursement, the majority of customers still opt for in-store vouchers (around 84%), although the use of bank transfers via the REpont mobile application is increasing. Approximately one in six users now choose to receive their refund via direct bank payment. A small percentage – around 0.35% – have opted to donate their refunds to charitable causes. ALDI also notes that some customers prefer to scan QR codes linked to non-profit organisations to support them via their deposit returns.

As part of its ongoing commitment to the circular economy, ALDI Hungary continues to expand the number of products eligible under the DRS. Currently, around 870 of the retailer’s product lines are registered and accepted by REpont machines, with more being added as new seasonal and promotional items are introduced.