Overview
- The Landgericht Düsseldorf sided with Deutsche Umwelthilfe, finding that Action broke the law by refusing to take back deposit-bearing single-use beverage containers.
- The ruling affirms that Germany’s deposit take-back obligation applies to all retailers and requires acceptance of eligible containers with a refund of the deposit at no charge.
- DUH’s case was based on test purchases in multiple Action branches where staff rejected returns in violation of the Packaging Act.
- DUH announced further spot checks of large retailers and said it will pursue legal remedies against any future violations.
- Consumer advisers report roughly 400 complaints nationwide over the past three years about refused deposit returns, indicating a broader compliance issue.