BERLIN, GERMANY -- On June 27, Germany's highest court rejected the arguments of the grocery and beverage industries, clearing the way for deposits on beverage bottles and cans sold in Germany.  The Federal Ministry of the Environment officially released data on July 2 showing that the proportion of refillable containers in use in the country had dropped below 72% in two consecutive measurement periods.  In accordance with the terms of Germany's Packaging Ordinance, this means that deposits on non-refillable containers will go into effect January 1, 2003.  The law places a 0.25-euro ($0.246) deposit on one-way mineral water, beer, and carbonated soft-drink containers up to 1.5 liters, and a 0.50 euro ($ 0.492) deposit on containers above 1.5 liters.  Wine and non-carbonated soft-drink containers are exempt from the law because both were able to meet their required refillable container quotas.