Germany's top court rejected an appeal by a group which opposes a government law to introduce deposit charges on non-refillable cans and bottles.
The constitutional court, which threw out an appeal by a group of retailers last week, turned down a new motion to delay the launch of deposits on January 1.
The German government is introducing a deposit of around $.25 for small containers and $.50 for cans and bottles larger than 1.5 liters. Deposits are returned when the bottles and cans are disposed of in special recycling machines.
A group of 22 brewers, a supermarket chain, a can manufacturer and a tin producer had all sought temporarily to block the launch.
A lower court, the federal administrative court, is still to make a full judgment on the issue on January 16.
The government's plans and previous German courts' support for the directive have boosted shares in Norway's Tomra Systems Inc., which makes recycling machines which accept waste bottles and repay the deposits.
Retailers and beverage manufacturers have long opposed the measure but the government says it is necessary because the percentage of cans and bottles being recycled - typically after being returned to the retailer - has fallen below a 72 percent minimum target set in 1997.
Opponents say industry faces start-up costs of around $1.5 billion and running costs of close to $1 billion per year and lost sales if they are forced to push up prices.
Retailers have warned consumers of a beer shortage at the start of the year due to the new packaging law.
Environmental bodies say the measures support their campaign to clear three billion cans and bottles from Germany's streets. Reuters