Deposit return scheme: business failure demands intervention

The collection rate of plastic bottles for the year 2022, at 68%, is far below the legally required target of 90%. Deposit systems are a great tool to improve collection, but for that, politicians must draft better legislation. For instance, there are far too few locations where consumers can get their money back, and the deposit amount is too low. The business sector itself is not cooperating, as in 2022 they earned 84 million euros precisely by collecting too little. On 1 July 2021, a deposit on small plastic bottles was also introduced. After decades of stretching their heels, part of the business sector was finally convinced of the importance of deposits on small plastic bottles, but the launch went anything but smoothly. Director Rob Buurman of Recycling Netwerk: “The business lobby managed to secure a low deposit amount of 15 cents, and also negotiated that retail points are not obliged to return the paid deposit to consumers, whereas this was previously compulsory. As a result, there are now only 5,000 locations where you can get your deposit back. At the cinema or in an amusement park, you get nothing back.” Furthermore, in 2021, there was still no deposit on juices or dairy, making it unclear for consumers what does or does not carry a deposit. According to the recently published public report of Stichting Afvalfonds Verpakkingen for 2022, only 58% of small plastic bottles were collected, whereas in Germany, around 95% of all plastic bottles are collected. So, it is possible. Despite the subpar collection rates, the effect of deposits on litter is already very significant. According to figures from Zwerfinator Dirk Groot, the number of plastic bottles in litter decreased by 70%. If you look only at deposit bottles, the effect is even 80% fewer plastic bottles in the environment. Poor performance earns the business sector 84 million euros. The business sector is legally obliged to collect 90%, but for every bottle they do not collect, they make money, and that adds up to a substantial amount. Of the 700 million large bottles, 12% are not collected, yielding a total of 21 million euros. Of the 1 billion small plastic bottles, no less than 42% are not collected, meaning the business sector does not have to pay out as much as 63 million euros. In 2022, the business sector therefore failed to return a total of 84 million euros to consumers. All that money does not lead to a better deposit system. Rob Buurman: “It is exactly the other way around: this source of income is precisely the result of the lack of investment in a deposit system. In a well-functioning system such as in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, or Latvia, at most 5-10% is not collected, but in the Netherlands, things go wrong. This has nothing to do with the willingness of the Dutch consumer, but everything to do with the will of Dutch politics to create good legislation.” Intervention is necessary. In recent years, we have repeatedly pointed out the flaws in the legislation to politicians and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, without any result. Now that collection rates are highly disappointing, we call on outgoing State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen to start improving the legislation. First of all, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) must enforce the legislation. With a collection rate of 68% for plastic bottles (Afvalfonds public report), the business sector remains far behind the legal target of 90%, and we therefore look forward to the response of the ILT. Secondly, the legislation on deposits must be tightened, ensuring at least the following is anchored: The deposit money that the business sector does not return to consumers (so 84 million in 2022) must be paid to the government. There should, of course, be no reward for delivering poor performance; Consumers must be able to get their deposit back everywhere; The deposit amount must be at least 25 cents; A deposit must be levied on all plastic bottles, including juice and dairy. End of press release Contact: Rob Buurman 06 16401040 Director Recycling Netwerk Benelux

The collection rate of plastic bottles for the year 2022, at 68%, is far below the legally required target of 90%. Deposit systems are a great tool to improve collection, but for that, politicians must draft better legislation. For instance, there are far too few locations where consumers can get their money back, and the deposit amount is too low. The business sector itself is not cooperating, as in 2022 they earned 84 million euros precisely by collecting too little.

On 1 July 2021, a deposit on small plastic bottles was also introduced. After decades of stretching their heels, part of the business sector was finally convinced of the importance of deposits on small plastic bottles, but the launch went anything but smoothly.

Director Rob Buurman of Recycling Netwerk: “The business lobby managed to secure a low deposit amount of 15 cents, and also negotiated that retail points are not obliged to return the paid deposit to consumers, whereas this was previously compulsory. As a result, there are now only 5,000 locations where you can get your deposit back. At the cinema or in an amusement park, you get nothing back.”

Furthermore, in 2021, there was still no deposit on juices or dairy, making it unclear for consumers what does or does not carry a deposit. According to the recently published public report of Stichting Afvalfonds Verpakkingen for 2022, only 58% of small plastic bottles were collected, whereas in Germany, around 95% of all plastic bottles are collected. So, it is possible.

Despite the subpar collection rates, the effect of deposits on litter is already very significant. According to figures from Zwerfinator Dirk Groot, the number of plastic bottles in litter decreased by 70%. If you look only at deposit bottles, the effect is even 80% fewer plastic bottles in the environment.

Poor performance earns the business sector 84 million euros

The business sector is legally obliged to collect 90%, but for every bottle they do not collect, they make money, and that adds up to a substantial amount. Of the 700 million large bottles, 12% are not collected, yielding a total of 21 million euros. Of the 1 billion small plastic bottles, no less than 42% are not collected, meaning the business sector does not have to pay out as much as 63 million euros. In 2022, the business sector therefore failed to return a total of 84 million euros to consumers.

All that money does not lead to a better deposit system. Rob Buurman: “It is exactly the other way around: this source of income is precisely the result of the lack of investment in a deposit system. In a well-functioning system such as in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, or Latvia, at most 5-10% is not collected, but in the Netherlands, things go wrong. This has nothing to do with the willingness of the Dutch consumer, but everything to do with the will of Dutch politics to create good legislation.”

Intervention is necessary

In recent years, we have repeatedly pointed out the flaws in the legislation to politicians and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, without any result. Now that collection rates are highly disappointing, we call on outgoing State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen to start improving the legislation.

First of all, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) must enforce the legislation. With a collection rate of 68% for plastic bottles (Afvalfonds public report), the business sector remains far behind the legal target of 90%, and we therefore look forward to the response of the ILT.

Secondly, the legislation on deposits must be tightened, ensuring at least the following is anchored:

The deposit money that the business sector does not return to consumers (so 84 million in 2022) must be paid to the government. There should, of course, be no reward for delivering poor performance;

Consumers must be able to get their deposit back everywhere;

The deposit amount must be at least 25 cents;

A deposit must be levied on all plastic bottles, including juice and dairy.

End of press release

Contact: Rob Buurman 06 16401040 Director Recycling Netwerk Benelux