31.12.2025. 12:26h
As Montenegro rapidly approaches membership in the European Union, topics of sustainable development, waste management and circular economy are moving out of professional circles and into everyday life. The latest international research by the Every Can Counts program clearly shows that citizens across Europe and the world are ready for concrete, efficient and fair recycling models — among which the Deposit Return System (DRS) stands out as one of the most reliable solutions.
Citizens of the region ready for a deposit system
A survey conducted in 16 countries with more than 16.000 respondents shows strong public support for the introduction of a deposit system for beverage packaging. In some countries, support exceeds 80%, which clearly confirms that citizens recognize DRS as a simple, motivating and effective mechanism that brings measurable results in recycling.
For Montenegro, which is in the final stage of harmonization with European directives on packaging and waste, these data represent a strong signal that there is a solid social basis for the introduction of a modern and functional system.
What do citizens understand by circular packaging?
The research results show that the understanding of the circular economy concept is significantly deepening:
50% of respondents believe that circular packaging means the ability to recycle a product into the same product over and over again
57% of respondents point out that circularity implies smart design that allows for easy recycling and reuse of materials
These are precisely the basic principles on which European resource management policy is based.
“Circularity doesn’t have to be complicated. Aluminum cans are proof that truly sustainable packaging already exists – infinitely recyclable, lightweight and widely available,” says David Van Heuversvyn, Global Director of Every Can Counts.
foto: Every Can Counts
The aluminum can – a clear symbol of the circular economy
The aluminum can stands out as the packaging with the highest recycling rate compared to all other packaging:
- 71% global recycling rate for aluminum cans
- 40% for PET bottles
- 34% for glass packaging
Although it represents one of the strongest examples of circular packaging, the research also reveals room for further education: only 17% of respondents recognize the can as the most recyclable beverage packaging.
“As more countries introduce deposit systems, the quality of the material collected increases and pollution in the recycling chain decreases. This allows more cans to actually become new cans, instead of ending up in landfills,” emphasizes Alexandra Williams, President of the Every Can Counts program.
foto: Every Can Counts
Citizens want recycling to be simple and rewarding
Research shows that citizen motivation is strongly linked to the ease of the process:
- 71% of respondents say they would recycle more if the system were simpler, clearer and linked to rewards
- A significant portion of citizens support models in which the value of the deposit is adjusted to the size of the packaging, in order to make the system fairer and more incentivizing.
- At the same time, 9 out of 10 respondents recognize packaging and plastic waste as one of the biggest environmental challenges of today, on par with climate change.
foto: Every Can Counts
Message for Montenegro
At a time when Montenegro is accelerating reform processes on its path to the European Union, the introduction of a deposit system and the strengthening of the circular economy represent an opportunity for a visible, measurable and long-term sustainable step forward — for the benefit of the environment, the economy and citizens.
About the Every Can Counts program
Every Can Counts is an international program launched in the United Kingdom in 2009, now active in more than 20 countries in Europe and around the world. The program promotes the aluminum can as a symbol of infinite recycling and encourages small, everyday steps that together create a big positive impact.
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