The Importance of the Deposit-Return System of Packaging in the Circular Economy System: Slovak Innovation Experience for Ukraine

The purpose of this study is to generalize the existing theoretical approaches to the organization of the RPS deposit system and analyse the successful experience of their implementation in Slovakia with the aim of spreading them in Ukrainian realities. For decades, the management of food and beverage packaging waste has been a significant concern, closely tied to the circular economy and sustainable development. Effective waste collection systems are crucial for these goals, and they have garnered support from both global governments and leading companies. In Ukraine, the issue has become particularly pressing due to ongoing military conflict, with a large portion of the country both occupied and overwhelmed by waste. The lack of modern waste processing facilities exacerbates this problem, which Ukraine must address as it seeks EU membership. The European Union has long established legislation, such as Directive 94/62/EU, to regulate packaging waste, encouraging preventive measures and the reuse of packaging. Successful models from EU countries, such as Slovakia’s deposit system for bottles and cans, offer practical solutions that could be adapted to Ukraine’s context. The study employed methods of analysis, synthesis, and content analysis to explore DRS models across Europe and used panel regression analysis in R software to examine factors influencing municipal waste recycling in Slovakia. The research tested two hypotheses: one linking the volume of municipal waste processing to population income levels in Slovakia and another suggesting that the Slovak deposit return system (DRS) model could be optimal for Ukraine because of similarities in consumer behavior and market conditions. The results confirm that higher income levels are associated with lower municipal waste production, reflecting the influence of lifestyle and consumer behavior. In Slovakia, material incentives and the cost of deposit packaging are crucial motivators for waste collection, especially given the relatively lower incomes than those of other European countries. The research highlights that collecting used beverage packaging is crucial for managing household waste and supporting a circular economy. Deposit return systems (DRSs) have proven effective in many EU countries and are gaining popularity. The Slovak DRS model, involving the widespread use of vending machines in retail stores and balanced incentives across the beverage supply chain, is effective and could serve as a model for Ukraine, as it aligns its systems with EU standards.