7 proposals for a fairer and more sustainable economic policy (Elections 2025)

The Netherlands can be fairer and more sustainable. The elections are the ultimate moment to choose an economy that combats climate change and uses our raw materials smartly. That is why Fair Resource Foundation is sharing 7 concrete measures that parties can include in their election manifestos – from tackling fast fashion to improving deposit return systems and banning plastic cigarette filters. Together, we can build a circular and just future. 1. Introduce a levy on fossil plastic A solid levy on fossil plastic is needed to combat climate change and strengthen our economy. This concerns, for example, textiles, electrical appliances, construction materials, mattresses and furniture. The 'plastic table' already proposed an initial rate for this of around 1 euro per 100 grams of fossil plastic. We support that. In addition, a levy on fossil plastic in other product groups, such as packaging, is necessary. The proceeds of these levies must support Dutch circular businesses and innovations. 2. Tackle fast fashion The Netherlands has a strong Textile Policy Programme 2025-2030 and is the second country in Europe to have an EPR for textiles. Yet consumption has got completely out of hand: on average, we buy 50 items of clothing per person per year, while most production takes place in Asia. The official target is to halve this to 25 items per person by 2035. To achieve that, active policy is needed now that goes beyond just collection and recycling. We advocate for a strong prevention policy against fast fashion, with (import) levies and an advertising ban to actually reduce consumption. 3. Focus on lifetime extension Many products currently have an unnecessarily short lifespan: disposable packaging, electrical appliances that cannot be repaired and expensive textile repairs. That must change. Using products for longer saves money and strengthens the Dutch economy. Therefore, focus on strong repair via EPR, at least for electrical appliances and textiles. Encourage producers to make repair easier and cheaper, for example with fiscal incentives such as VAT reduction and repair vouchers. For packaging, the government must make sharp choices. Single-use coffee cups, plant trays and wine bottles must be replaced by reusable packaging. See also missionreuse.com. 4. Improve deposit return systems The statutory target of a 90% return rate for bottles and cans is not being met. Consumers must also be able to return their cans and bottles at locations such as cinemas, cafeterias, theme parks and HEMA. To prevent plastic bottles and cans from disappearing into public waste bins, the deposit must be increased. Deposits should also apply to plastic bottles containing juices and protein shakes. In addition, a return premium of 5 cents on top of the deposit could reward consumers for good return behaviour. Finally, squeeze pouches cause a lot of litter. Ensure a deposit is placed on these or remove this packaging from the market. 5. Ban the plastic cigarette filter Cigarette filters break down into microplastics and are a huge source of pollution worldwide: every second, one hundred thousand cigarette butts are thrown away. Due to the toxic substances in filters, a single butt can pollute up to 1,000 litres of water. Furthermore, plastic filters do not protect smokers. On the contrary: because of the filter, smokers actually inhale harmful substances deeper. The solution is simple: ban the cigarette filter. See also www.noplasticfilter.org. 6. Limit the influence of companies, give local residents a voice Residents living near factories, roads and landfills have to deal with pollution from toxic steel slag, PFAS and granulite. At the same time, polluting companies often have direct access to politicians and policymakers, while citizens are only allowed to join a meaningless participation process after the event. That must change. Give local residents a real voice in environmental policy, limit the influence of polluting companies and introduce a lobby register. See also www.weeffouten.nl. 7. Seize the opportunity to improve EPR EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) gives producers of packaging, electrical appliances, batteries and textiles responsibility for the collection, recycling and sustainability of their products. But often the environmental benefit is limited. EPR organisations focus too much on cost efficiency and the interests of their members, and too little on real circularity. Therefore, seize the current EPR Further Development process to make EPR more inclusive, transparent and more focused on circularity by adapting the regulations. These measures will help the Netherlands become fairer and more sustainable. Curious to find out more? Contact us. Related tags @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIi

The Netherlands can be fairer and more sustainable. The elections are the ultimate moment to choose an economy that combats climate change and uses our raw materials smartly. That is why Fair Resource Foundation is sharing 7 concrete measures that parties can include in their election manifestos – from tackling fast fashion to improving deposit return systems and banning plastic cigarette filters. Together, we can build a circular and just future.

1. Introduce a levy on fossil plastic

A solid levy on fossil plastic is needed to combat climate change and strengthen our economy. This concerns, for example, textiles, electrical appliances, construction materials, mattresses and furniture. The 'plastic table' already proposed an initial rate for this of around 1 euro per 100 grams of fossil plastic. We support that.

In addition, a levy on fossil plastic in other product groups, such as packaging, is necessary. The proceeds of these levies must support Dutch circular businesses and innovations.

2. Tackle fast fashion

The Netherlands has a strong Textile Policy Programme 2025-2030 and is the second country in Europe to have an EPR for textiles. Yet consumption has got completely out of hand: on average, we buy 50 items of clothing per person per year, while most production takes place in Asia. The official target is to halve this to 25 items per person by 2035.

To achieve that, active policy is needed now that goes beyond just collection and recycling. We advocate for a strong prevention policy against fast fashion, with (import) levies and an advertising ban to actually reduce consumption.

3. Focus on lifetime extension

Many products currently have an unnecessarily short lifespan: disposable packaging, electrical appliances that cannot be repaired and expensive textile repairs. That must change. Using products for longer saves money and strengthens the Dutch economy.

Therefore, focus on strong repair via EPR, at least for electrical appliances and textiles. Encourage producers to make repair easier and cheaper, for example with fiscal incentives such as VAT reduction and repair vouchers.

For packaging, the government must make sharp choices. Single-use coffee cups, plant trays and wine bottles must be replaced by reusable packaging. See also missionreuse.com.

4. Improve deposit return systems

The statutory target of a 90% return rate for bottles and cans is not being met. Consumers must also be able to return their cans and bottles at locations such as cinemas, cafeterias, theme parks and HEMA.

To prevent plastic bottles and cans from disappearing into public waste bins, the deposit must be increased. Deposits should also apply to plastic bottles containing juices and protein shakes. In addition, a return premium of 5 cents on top of the deposit could reward consumers for good return behaviour.

Finally, squeeze pouches cause a lot of litter. Ensure a deposit is placed on these or remove this packaging from the market.

5. Ban the plastic cigarette filter

Cigarette filters break down into microplastics and are a huge source of pollution worldwide: every second, one hundred thousand cigarette butts are thrown away. Due to the toxic substances in filters, a single butt can pollute up to 1,000 litres of water. Furthermore, plastic filters do not protect smokers. On the contrary: because of the filter, smokers actually inhale harmful substances deeper.

The solution is simple: ban the cigarette filter. See also www.noplasticfilter.org.

6. Limit the influence of companies, give local residents a voice

Residents living near factories, roads and landfills have to deal with pollution from toxic steel slag, PFAS and granulite. At the same time, polluting companies often have direct access to politicians and policymakers, while citizens are only allowed to join a meaningless participation process after the event.

That must change. Give local residents a real voice in environmental policy, limit the influence of polluting companies and introduce a lobby register.

See also www.weeffouten.nl.

7. Seize the opportunity to improve EPR

EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) gives producers of packaging, electrical appliances, batteries and textiles responsibility for the collection, recycling and sustainability of their products. But often the environmental benefit is limited. EPR organisations focus too much on cost efficiency and the interests of their members, and too little on real circularity. Therefore, seize the current EPR Further Development process to make EPR more inclusive, transparent and more focused on circularity by adapting the regulations.

These measures will help the Netherlands become fairer and more sustainable. Curious to find out more? Contact us.

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