Current levy on plastic packaging does not solve problems with single-use plastics

On 1 July, a levy on plastic-containing packaging for take-away was introduced in the Netherlands. At Mission Reuse, we had our doubts about the impact and feasibility. Because packaging you have to pay extra for can still become litter. And only a handful of people are constantly on the move with their own cup and container. Meanwhile, three months have passed and the House of Representatives already wants to abolish the plastic levy. The levy does not lead to increased sustainability among producers, according to a majority of the House. We fully agree with this. But hopefully we can just adjust the regulations, not scrap them. “We won't reduce the mountains of waste by punishing the consumer with a plastic levy without offering an alternative. We must encourage companies to make the switch to reusable packaging,” says Emmy Van Daele of Mission Reuse. Every day in the Netherlands, we throw away 19 million single-use plastic cups and food containers. By 2026, this must be 40% less than in 2022. How can we adjust these regulations to achieve that? It is better to simply ban single-use plastic in some locations than to discourage it with complicated rules. Only then is it also possible to enforce the rules. This is also what enforcement organisation ILT says. Companies are now obliged to charge a levy for single-use packaging, but they are free to use this extra income. The government expects entrepreneurs to invest the levies in reusable alternatives, but it is not an obligation. Here we can take an example from the German city of Tübingen. There, the municipality levies a tax on single-use packaging, which it then invests in reusable alternatives. Even the resisting local McDonald’s was ordered by the court to participate. No minimum amount is set for the levy. For example, some catering companies and supermarkets avoid the levy by charging only one cent. Sometimes prices are not increased at all. While the idea is that consumers are encouraged by the levy to buy less single-use packaging. Thanks to research, we know that at least 25 cents per package is needed to change behavior. Companies need more guidance from the government to apply the new rules. Especially in the catering industry, there is a need for independent information on reusable systems and warnings about false solutions of cardboard or biodegradable plastics (which are not plastic-free). From 1 January 2024, new legislation for on-site consumption will enter into force. Anyone eating in a bar, sports club or restaurant is no longer allowed to do so in single-use packaging. But once again there are exceptions where plastic-containing single-use packaging is still permitted. These exceptions hinder proper functioning. Let’s not miss the mark again. Make it easy and clear for companies and consumers: mandate reuse for on-site consumption. This is also how France introduced it. Curious for more? Karl Beerenfenger & Emmy Van Daele of Mission Reuse (a joint transition programme of Enviu, Natuur & Milieu and Recycling Netwerk Benelux) are available for reactions and interviews. Contact details Karl Beerenfenger karl@fairresourcefoundation.org 06-18632023 Emmy Van Daele emmy@fairresourcefoundation.org 06-83903990

On 1 July, a levy on plastic-containing packaging for take-away was introduced in the Netherlands. At Mission Reuse, we had our doubts about the impact and feasibility. Because packaging you have to pay extra for can still become litter. And only a handful of people are constantly on the move with their own cup and container.

Meanwhile, three months have passed and the House of Representatives already wants to abolish the plastic levy. The levy does not lead to increased sustainability among producers, according to a majority of the House. We fully agree with this. But hopefully we can just adjust the regulations, not scrap them. “We won't reduce the mountains of waste by punishing the consumer with a plastic levy without offering an alternative. We must encourage companies to make the switch to reusable packaging,” says Emmy Van Daele of Mission Reuse.

Every day in the Netherlands, we throw away 19 million single-use plastic cups and food containers. By 2026, this must be 40% less than in 2022. How can we adjust these regulations to achieve that?

It is better to simply ban single-use plastic in some locations than to discourage it with complicated rules. Only then is it also possible to enforce the rules. This is also what enforcement organisation ILT says.

Companies are now obliged to charge a levy for single-use packaging, but they are free to use this extra income. The government expects entrepreneurs to invest the levies in reusable alternatives, but it is not an obligation. Here we can take an example from the German city of Tübingen. There, the municipality levies a tax on single-use packaging, which it then invests in reusable alternatives. Even the resisting local McDonald’s was ordered by the court to participate.

No minimum amount is set for the levy. For example, some catering companies and supermarkets avoid the levy by charging only one cent. Sometimes prices are not increased at all. While the idea is that consumers are encouraged by the levy to buy less single-use packaging. Thanks to research, we know that at least 25 cents per package is needed to change behavior.

Companies need more guidance from the government to apply the new rules. Especially in the catering industry, there is a need for independent information on reusable systems and warnings about false solutions of cardboard or biodegradable plastics (which are not plastic-free).

From 1 January 2024, new legislation for on-site consumption will enter into force. Anyone eating in a bar, sports club or restaurant is no longer allowed to do so in single-use packaging. But once again there are exceptions where plastic-containing single-use packaging is still permitted. These exceptions hinder proper functioning. Let’s not miss the mark again. Make it easy and clear for companies and consumers: mandate reuse for on-site consumption. This is also how France introduced it.

Curious for more?

Karl Beerenfenger & Emmy Van Daele of Mission Reuse (a joint transition programme of Enviu, Natuur & Milieu and Recycling Netwerk Benelux) are available for reactions and interviews.

Contact details

Karl Beerenfenger karl@fairresourcefoundation.org 06-18632023

Emmy Van Daele emmy@fairresourcefoundation.org 06-83903990