80% of all packaging recycled and reused

In 2021, 80% of all packaging put on the market was recycled, according to Afvalfonds Verpakkingen (Dutch Packaging Waste Fund). This is well above the Dutch target of 70%. It also leaves us well behind the EU target of 65% (in 2025). Producers and importers are therefore taking responsibility. The Netherlands is even one of the front-runners when it comes to recycling packaging; yet we still have a long way to go to achieve a circular economy.

Recycling results per material type

For glass packaging materials, the recycling rate in 2021 was 89 per cent, and for paper and cardboard packaging it was 90 per cent. Of plastic packaging, 49% was recycled. Of ferrous metals, 95% was recycled, for aluminium it was 74% and for wood 66%.

Stichting Afvalfonds Verpakkingen is responsible for collecting and recycling packaging on behalf of the companies that put packaged products on the market. The companies jointly finance this system by paying a contribution per packaging to the Afvalfonds Verpakkingen. From 1 January 2023, packaging waste similar to household waste and disposed of in schools, offices and retail outlets will be included.

Afvalfondsverpakkingen.nl