German Retailers Drop Resistance To Bottle Deposit Hike

German retailers on Thursday gave up a long battle against a government-imposed increase in the required deposit on bottled beverages. After a meeting with German Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin, the German Retailers Association said its members would accept without condition the new rules and would assist in getting the complete infrastructure for deposits in place by July 1. The deposit itself -- 25 euro cent ($0.25) more for 0.5 liter drinks and 50 cent more for 1.5 liter bottles -- will be imposed starting Jan. 1.