Look for the oval Finnish deposit mark on cans and plastic bottles. Return systems cover cans, PET bottles and certain glass bottles.
Four values hiding in plain sight
| Container | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Aluminium can, any size | EUR 0.15 |
| Plastic bottle, 0.35 l or smaller | EUR 0.10 |
| Plastic bottle, over 0.35 l and under 1 l | EUR 0.20 |
| Plastic bottle, at least 1 l | EUR 0.40 |
| Deposit glass bottle | EUR 0.10 |
Protect what the machine reads
The return machine identifies shape, dimensions and barcode. A crushed can, flattened bottle or missing label can lose its readable identity and therefore its refund. Empty it, keep it whole and leave the label on.
A receipt is not a shopping obligation
The return location must pay the deposit. Palpa states that a store cannot require you to buy products against the return receipt. You may use it during the shop or ask for the refund according to the store's normal process.
Foreign bottles may look right and pay nothing
A container bought abroad is not automatically registered in Finland's system. The machine pays only for packaging connected to an eligible return scheme for which the Finnish deposit has been paid.
The small sum becomes visible quickly
Four large plastic bottles can return EUR 1.60; ten cans return EUR 1.50. On a family trip or cottage week, the bag by the door soon becomes a real line in the travel budget.