Regulation No. 49 on beverage packaging.

This Regulation of the Government of Greenland regulates beverage packaging through a mandatory return deposit (pant) system, effective 1 January 2024. It applies to bottles and cans made of glass, aluminium, plastic, or steel containing beer, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, and concentrates, but excludes packaging above 4.9 liters or below 0.125 liters, kegs, jerrycans, wine, spirits, and dairy products. Only packaging included in a Naalakkersuisut-approved return system may be imported or sold, and retailers must both accept returned empties and refund deposits, while establishments such as restaurants and hotels must return their used packaging to the system administrator. Municipalities are tasked with oversight, empowered to issue prohibitions or orders if non-compliant packaging is sold, and breaches may lead to fines under Greenland’s Criminal Code. The regulation also provides for exemptions in cases of supply issues or small-scale sales and recognizes existing approved refill systems without requiring re-approval.