How does the bottle deposit work in Denmark?
Yes — deposits are mandatory, and the system is the world's best-oiled: over 90 % comes back. The rates: Pant A = DKK 1 (glass bottles and cans under 1 litre), Pant B = DKK 1.50 (plastic bottles under 1 litre), Pant C = DKK 3 (all containers 1–20 litres). Shops selling drinks must take marked containers back — with a reverse-vending machine they must accept all types, without one only the types they sell. The deposit pays out in cash or as a receipt. The border loophole is closing: under the EU deal, German border cans get Danish deposits by 2029 at the latest. No duty to return — but binning the container gifts the system your money.
📋 The rules
- Pant A: DKK 1 — glass bottles and cans < 1 l
- Pant B: DKK 1.50 — plastic bottles < 1 l
- Pant C: DKK 3 — containers 1–20 l
- Shops with machines: must take all deposit marks
- Containers must be empty with a readable mark (ideally uncrushed)
🔓 Exceptions
- No deposit mark (foreign purchases): no payout — border cans join by 2029
- Wine and spirits bottles: outside the return system (glass containers)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
None for consumers — only lost deposits. Shops refusing returns against the rules and unregistered producers face Dansk Retursystem/EPA sanctions.
📎 Official sources
- Dansk Retursystem · Deposit marks and rates (DA) →
- Environmental Protection Agency · Deposits (DA) →
- Environment Ministry · German cans by 2029 (DA) →
❓ Frequently asked
Why does the machine reject my can?
Usually an unreadable mark/barcode — crushed cans and dented bottles get rejected; hand them to customer service.
Must shops take containers they don't sell?
With a reverse-vending machine they must accept all marked single-use containers (A/B/C) — without one, only their own types.
Is there a deposit on juice?
Yes — the system has expanded and covers most drinks today; check the label's deposit mark.
What about German border cans?
Historically deposit-free (and a litter problem) — the EU deal brings them into the Danish system by 2029.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “bottle deposit denmark”
- “pant system copenhagen”
- “reverse vending denmark”
- “deposit rates denmark abc”
- “german cans deposit 2029”