Milestones

1902: The deposit system for reusable bottles is established in Norway.

1980s: The trade and commerce industry wants recyclable and disposable packaging that can be compressed upon return.

1989-1996: A period of much discussion, analysis and policy. Gradually, the authorities open up for a tax reduction in proportion with the rate of return.

1995: The deposit system is approved by the SFT (the Norwegian Environmental Agency, now known as the Environmental Directorate).

1996: On November 11, the company Norsk Resirk is founded. The beverage industry and the grocery industry have an equal share in the company. The environmental tax on beverage packaging was so high that the industry had to establish a deposit system to secure a high rate of return before introducing cans to the Norwegian market.

1998: The political negotiations finish in December.

1999: Norsk Resirk’s deposit system is established. The system is open to everyone. On May 3, the first can return through the deposit system.

2000: In April, the first recyclable bottles made from PET are registered in the deposit system.

2010: The deposit system celebrates its ten-year anniversary.

2012: The Norwegian Environmental Agency determine that the environmental tax on recyclable bottles cease for the members of Norsk Resirk with a return rate of 95 percent or more.

2013: The environmental tax on cans is removed with retroactive effect from July 2012.

2014: Norsk Resirk changes its name to Infinitum.

2015: It is amazing to see that hard work pays off! Norwegians have never before deposited more bottles and cans. A total of 970 million bottles and cans is a triple increase in the number of units since the shift really started in 2012. We can finally state the fact that Norway has the world's most efficient depositing system. We have the highest collection rate at the lowest cost. There is a reason to be proud!

2016: Finally, we reached a billion empties! Norwegians collected 466 793 339 cans and 545 397 194 bottles. We collaborated with Østfoldforskning on an LCA raport, providing us with facts and data. Also, we engaged in a collaboration with Marked.no and Kolonial.no. Smartpant started a new, exciting project.