Tax the raw materials, not the bottles. After all, the problem we're trying to solve is raw materials being wasted and potentially ending up in landfills. Whether it's a bottle or other container doesn't really change anything there.

With the raw materials taxed there wouldn't be a way to produce these bottles for less unless you somehow come up with a new design that uses less plastic or uses materials that are deemed less damaging to the environment.

Of course, this would require an in-depth review to figure out which materials to tax, how much, etc and to make sure there aren't any loopholes or unintended collateral damage. It's no easy task, but I think the result would be worth it.

That's not what's happening in Germany though and their deposit is in that range.

Is it? Highest deposit per bottle/can I'm aware of is 25ct. Which is a quarter.

When I went shopping last time I visited my mom I thought it was higher. I took back a crate with empty bottles and got mineral water almost for free. The price for the water was almost as high as the deposit if I remember correctly.

In any case I have heard about people stealing "Pfandflaschen" but never about people producing them. I think there are easier ways to commit fraud.

Oh. I forgot about the crates. They have a deposit too, but i don't use them because I'm not buying that much at once.

1 AUD = 0.60€