With growing regulatory pressure to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, waste collection and return systems are becoming increasingly important. Their performance ultimately depends on user participation, since users determine whether materials are returned and re-enter the system. However, a gap remains between behavioural research and infrastructure design, as collection system planning often relies on simplified assumptions. Using the Dutch deposit return system as a case, this study examines how context influences return behaviour and how insights can support infrastructure design. A context-dependent stated choice experiment was conducted among 370 respondents. Respondents evaluated return and disposal options across airports and amusement parks, varying in walking distance and knowledge of return locations. A Multinomial Logit model and a Latent Class Choice Model were used to estimate the effects of these factors on return behaviour and to identify heterogeneity in these influences. The results show that return behaviour is strongly influenced by perceived effort. Walking distance significantly reduces the likelihood of returning containers, while knowledge of return locations increases return rates and partly compensates for additional distance. Although some contextual differences were observed, the preference to minimise effort remained largely consistent across contexts. A return-oriented class and a convenience-oriented class were identified. While positive attitudes and intentions increased the likelihood of return behaviour, these motivations did not always translate into actual behaviour when effort increased. By translating the estimated results into choice probabilities and aggregating these into expected return rates, this study demonstrates how user behaviour can be incorporated into infrastructure evaluation and design. The findings contribute to bridging the gap between behavioural research and waste collection system design.

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