This document elaborates the potential of the deposit return systems as a policy tool to significantly raise beverage container recycling rates. This document seeks to contribute to an educated discussion on recycling best practice – including what can be learned from the past, and what the future may look like on the deposit return systems. The document discusses what an effective deposit return systems deliver, the four key principles and twelve element high-performing deposit return systems and case studies on real-world implementation of deposit return policy.