Deposit on small plastic bottles for less litter

1 July 2021 a deposit will be introduced on small plastic bottles. State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven has agreed this with the packaging industry. Per bottle (< 1 liter) will soon be 15 cents deposit. For large bottles (> 1 litre) it will remain 25 cents. Bottles can be handed in at supermarkets, train stations, roadside petrol stations and through caterers. This measure should lead to much less plastic litter. Producers of bottles of soft drinks and water are responsible for the introduction of the deposit system. The catering industry and small businesses are exempt from the obligation to collect small plastic bottles.

Van Veldhoven: "The corona crisis is the highest priority. At the same time, I will continue to work for a healthy and clean future in other areas as well. Including the prevention of plastic soup and litter. About a year's preparation time is needed, which is why we are now giving clarity to all parties".

Counteract plastic soup

With this decision comes an end to 20 years of discussion about deposits on plastic bottles. Van Veldhoven adopted a two-track approach in which the aim (less litter) was put first instead of the means (deposits). In 2018 agreements were first made with industry and the VNG to reduce the number of small plastic bottles that end up in the environment by 70-90%. If this was not achieved, deposits would be introduced. That is now the case. By introducing deposits on small plastic bottles, Van Veldhoven wants to keep the plastic bottles out of our environment. Every year, some 900 million small plastic bottles pass through the counter, some 100 million of which end up in the environment. Estimates are that 90% of plastic bottles, both small and large, will be returned with this deposit system.

Hospitality industry and small businesses exempted

Some 12,000 sellers will soon be able to hand in the bottles: in supermarkets (> 200 m2), via caterers, at train stations with manned sales outlets and at large petrol stations along the road. Restaurants and small businesses are excluded from the obligation to collect small bottles. Schools and sports clubs may also voluntarily opt for a collection point. Manufacturers are responsible for the new deposit system and bear the costs. An implementing organisation will be set up to help all collectors in the coming year with the roll-out of the deposit system. For example, new collection machines must be set up, devices that flatten the bottles and transport and sorting must be arranged. All corona precautions will of course be taken into account.

Tins

The next step that Van Veldhoven is taking against litter is to reduce the number of cans in the environment. Van Veldhoven uses a similar approach to bottles. By the autumn of 2021, 70-90% fewer cans must have been produced in litter. If this is not achieved, a deposit will also be made on cans. Van Veldhoven: "I think that the number of cans in litter should be greatly reduced, either to the left or to the right. I am discussing this with the business community and the VNG. We have now started preparing the legislation and regulations for deposits on cans, so that this will be ready should we decide to introduce deposits on cans". A decision will be taken in the autumn of 2021. In the meantime, the government is starting a joint campaign with the business community to combat litter. After all, the most effective way of combating litter remains that people do not throw their waste into the environment.

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