Top of the region! almost 46 thousand euros were donated at the deposit points and an award was won – Market news

At the beginning of February, two years have passed since the deposit system has been operating in Latvia, and the store network is on top! the data shows a convincing trend – the transfer of containers is becoming more and more popular among the population. Top in 2023! more than 35 million tare units have been collected at deposit points in the regions of Latvia, while donations made by customers for animals, children and seniors, as well as for the support of Ukraine, are growing! at deposit points reaches almost 46 thousand euros during the year. We are also proud of the highest rating given by the Deposit Packaging Operator in March in the category of store networks where average deposit points operate!

“Buyers appreciate that the deposit system is not only an effective solution to reduce environmental pollution, but also a convenient tool for donating to important causes for themselves and society. During the year top! nearly 40,000 euros were donated at the deposit points for animals and support for Ukraine, and the opportunity to help seniors and children was also used. Taromats have unequivocally proven themselves as a convenient and effective donation tool, because in order to make a donation, you don’t have to call anywhere or enter your bank details, and a person gets immediate satisfaction from seeing how empty bottles turn into support for groups of society that need it right now. We invite you to practice good practice and continue to actively donate,” the store network emphasizes top! board member and marketing director Ilze Priedīte.

“The change in people’s habits in these years can be evaluated positively. Seeing the volumes of collected containers, it is nice to know what amount of empty beverage packaging is currently purposefully handed over and does not end up in general household waste. Last year, residents of Vidzeme (13’483’156) and Latgale (6’318’113) gave the most empty deposit containers. It is also pleasing that less waste ends up in nature, because, as confirmed by the results of coastal monitoring carried out by the association “Green Freedom” and the Environmental Education Foundation, the number of plastic bottles thrown away in the 17 coastal objects selected for the study has decreased by 61%,” continues Priedīte.

Last year from June to August top! more than 11 million units of empty containers were transferred to the deposit points. Compared to the year 2022, there is an increase, because since January 1, 2023, an expanded deposit system was introduced with the possibility to transfer PET bottles and cans of strong alcoholic cocktails, syrups, all kinds of alcoholic beverages. Although the transfer of empty containers is not unfamiliar to society in general, at the same time the deposit system as a whole is new and not only buyers, but all involved parties, including producers and traders, need to change their daily habits, which requires both learning and adaptation to a higher goal – a cleaner nature of Latvia – on behalf of.

In order for the system to function to its full potential and for everyone to have a pleasant package transfer environment, we ask the public to be understanding and remember that the taromat accepts only specially marked containers – please do not bring other containers to the store. Also, we invite you to rinse the beer, juice and sweet drink packages to avoid the leakage of beverage residues both in customers’ bags and cars, as well as in the taproom itself, so that it is more pleasant for store employees to maintain the taproom on a daily basis and prevent unwanted odors from forming.

Observing social responsibility and taking care of the environment, at the shops top! textile containers are also placed, while boxes for used batteries can be found in stores.

About the store network top!

Local chain of retail stores top! is the largest store network in Latvia owned by Latvian entrepreneurs. With a trademark top! There are currently 207 grocery stores operating in Latvia, owned by 12 local companies. In total, more than 3,500 jobs are provided by supporting local manufacturers and suppliers throughout Latvia.

The “top!” of the store network