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Mandatory deposits on all packaging for drinks is an effective solution to pollution. No special technology needed. Does not matter if it is reusable or not - just make the required deposit high enough and people will collect the containers for the money.

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I lived in Sweden for a few months, where they had a system like that (the deposit translated to around 10 cents), and it seemed to work well. The other thing I’ll add is the benefit of making it very visible: In the US, state programs are on the fine print, but in Sweden, every bottle or can had the “pant” symbol and deposit amount prominently on it, so everyone was quickly aware of it.

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