The fundamental principles of the dual system.
The Packaging Ordinance (Law on the prevention and recycling of waste packaging) came into force in Germany on 12 June 1991. The fundamental concern of the Packaging Ordinance is to make it obligatory for manufacturers and distributors to act according to the Polluter Pays Principle so that they are responsible for taking back and recycling their used and empty sales packaging. The Packaging Ordinance was amended in 2008 – the valid version of the law – and it is this version on which the EKO-PUNKT® dual system is based. Manufacturers and distributors can join the EKO-PUNKT® dual system and by doing so fulfil their obligations. EKO-PUNKT®'s activities are documented through the annual material stream report which must be drawn up for the ministry of the environment in the German state concerned. The aim of the legislator to prevent the generation of waste has, therefore, been achieved with this ordinance. The volume of sales packaging has decreased considerably since the Packaging Ordinance came into force.
* Act for Promoting Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management and Ensuring Environmentally Compatible Waste Disposal
