How deposit-return becomes part of the public space

In a store where you don’t buy anything, but hand something in, everything revolves around simplicity and flow. For Statiegeld Nederland, SVT designed a new type of public space: the Statiegeld Retourshop. The first location – in Keizerswaard shopping center in Rotterdam – was created with one clear goal: to return as many packaging materials into the system as possible.

Drop, Cash, Go!
That’s all users need to know.

A smart system, simple route
The Retourshop is intended for everyone, from collectors to city residents. Visitors drop off their bottles and cans independently using a reverse vending machine or bulk return unit. They receive their deposit refund via Tikkie or in cash through a closed, automated payment system by Brink’s.

A staff member is available for support, but the customer journey is fully self-guided and frictionless.

The space tells you where to go:
no explanation needed, no distractions – just direction.

Our design vision
As a leading strategic branding and design agency with over 30 years of experience shaping iconic brands in Dutch retail, SVT understands the importance of a thoughtful approach. We develop innovative concepts that are not only visually distinctive, but also express a brand’s core values – in every layer of the experience.

Our pragmatic approach results in solutions that work. In this case: a shop you understand without explanation – and that does exactly what it’s designed to do.

For the Statiegeld Retourshop, this meant:

• A functional and appealing design: functionality and aesthetics go hand in hand
• Intuitive routing and wayfinding: the space guides visitors without explanation
• Smart use of space: no unnecessary elements – everything supports the return flow
• Strong brand experience: colour, tone of voice and instore communication align with Statiegeld Nederland’s national campaigns and are applied with clarity
• Sustainable choices: wall panels made from 100% recycled plastic, a plant-based floor, and extensive reuse of existing materials
• Scalable and accessible: the concept is designed for easy implementation in other urban locations

“We design public spaces the way people actually use them: purposeful, clear and friction-free. This is a place you understand without explanation.” – SVT design team

From pilot to promising model
The Rotterdam Retourshop opened on 2 May 2025 as the first location of this new store format. While it was developed based on the spatial context and user needs of Keizerswaard, the design is modular and scalable, ready for roll-out to other urban areas.