A new report by the ELA Beverage Containers Collection Corporation suggests that in 2011 Israelis recycled over 50% of their plastic bottles – more than their American and European counterparts. The annual plastic bottle recycling rates was 29% in the US and 48% in Europe. According to the report, some 20,000 tons of bottles were recycled in 2011, and since the prices of recyclable packages in Israel carry a consumer deposit, the public has been able to regain NIS 1.04 billion (roughly $280 million) in deposit fees over the past decade. ELA's report noted that, in total, 77% of all beverage containers, both plastic and glass, were collected for recycling, exceeding government targets of 73%, amounting to some 600 million bottles. The report's segmentation said that households recycled about 41% of all beverage containers – about 300 million bottles – also surpassing a the government's 35% goal. ELA Chairwoman Nehama Ronen said that, "A year since the Packaging Law came into force – we succeeded in surpassing the goals set for us by the Environmental Protection Ministry." The cooperation further notes that in the past year 140 municipalities and regional councils nationwide installed 4,400 new recycling bins, bringing the country’s total number of recycling points to 15,000. ELA said that the most successful recycling cities in 2011 were Kiryat Ono and Givat Shmuel, and the most successful regional councils were Arava Kfar Shmaryahu. Bnei Brak set a municipal record in 2011, going from having only seven recycling bins across the city to exceeding 400. "As we gear to implement the Waste Separation Law in Israel, this data suggests that the Israeli public is committed to the issue of recycling," Ronen said. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter