More Plastic Bottle Caps Returned in Denmark Under EU Rule

Almost all recycled plastic bottles in Denmark now come back with their caps attached. This follows an EU directive that took effect in July 2024.

New data shows 99.73 percent of returned bottles still have caps on. Before caps were attached to bottles, that figure was 90 percent. Dansk Retursystem shared these results in a recent press release.

The EU directive requires caps to stay fixed on bottles and cartons. This rule aims to keep plastic caps out of nature and trash.

Hanne Svenningsen is the climate manager at Dansk Retursystem. She welcomed the increase in returned caps for recycling. Currently, returned caps are processed into lower quality plastic items. Turning old caps into new caps requires future EU approval.