Deposit system needs to be more user-friendly

Most Dutch people do their part when it comes to returning deposit packaging. Bottles, crates, cans – straight back to the store. Still, it doesn’t always go as smoothly as it sounds. Especially when it comes to cans, things often go wrong. And that’s largely due to... leaks in your bag.

Hassle, frustration and a whole lot of soggy backpacks

Only 32% of Dutch respondents are genuinely positive about the deposit system. That’s not exactly a vote of confidence. 45% believe it needs to be more user-friendly. And 10%? They say the system simply doesn’t work well. A small group (4%) even considers returning packaging pointless – “it can just go with the regular waste.”

Since 2023, deposit fees also apply to drink cans. Still, research by Kunststofplatenshop shows that cans are returned less consistently than other types of packaging. 61% of respondents say they always return cans, compared to 68% for all deposit items combined. The main complaint? “Cans leak in the bag,” says 29% of participants. Understandably, people aren’t keen on sticky hands and soggy shopping bags.

Other factors also play a role. 20% find it inconvenient to carry everything back to a return point. 15% say there isn’t one nearby. And 14%? They feel the deposit amount just isn’t worth the trouble.

So how much is the deposit on a can?

Many people don’t actually know. When asked how much the deposit is on a single can, one in four got it wrong. 13% thought it was 10 cents. 12% admitted they had no idea. And 1% guessed 20 cents. Luckily, most people did get it right: 74% named the correct amount – 15 cents.

What should change?

According to 60% of respondents, the solution is clear: more return points – ideally in places people already frequent, like train stations, parks or the local supermarket. And if the deposit amount per can were raised? Then 54% say they’d return them more often.

Kunststofplatenshop.nl