Letter to the House of Representatives shows broad support for immediate decision on deposit return scheme for cans

‘The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has received 37 responses following the internet consultation. In their responses, private individuals are overwhelmingly in favour of introducing a deposit on cans and find it a logical step in combating litter. A large proportion of these responses argue for a decision to introduce it immediately,’ reads the government's letter to the House of Representatives.

Various municipalities provided input on the decision, according to the parliamentary letter. They ask to bring forward the decision on a deposit on cans so that it falls within this governing period, because it can already be concluded from the litter monitor that the required reduction will not be achieved and that a deposit on cans is therefore inevitable. Municipalities also ask to include dairy and juices in the proposed deposit scheme on cans, and several municipalities advocate an intake obligation for points of sale.

The Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond) also asks to make the decision within this current governing period. The consumer organisation further emphasises that an intake obligation for points of sale, and an inclusive system with a deposit on all beverage cans, are necessary for the convenience of consumers.

The entrepreneurs' organisation for Dutch farmers and growers, LTO Nederland, draws attention to the animal suffering caused by litter from cans. A number of livestock farmers also responded individually and argue for the introduction of a deposit on cans to prevent animal suffering.

Recycling Netwerk Benelux submitted a response together with Natuur & Milieu, the Plastic Soup Foundation, the Plastic Soup Surfer, Greenpeace and Stichting de Noordzee. They also plead to bring forward the decision moment for a deposit on metal beverage packaging, so that the decision still falls within this governing period. After all, the number of cans in litter is not decreasing, but rising, as was previously shown by the counts of Rijkswaterstaat.

The six environmental organisations ask for strict compliance with the 90% separate collection target for cans set out in the draft decision. They also ask for a collection obligation for sales points, the inclusion of cans with juices and dairy and squeeze pouches in the scheme, and a deposit amount of at least 25 cents. Recycling Netwerk Benelux submitted its response together with the five other environmental organisations on 9 November.

The municipalities, the Consumers' Association and the environmental organisations all argue that alternative collection methods, such as collection via PMD waste, should not be counted towards achieving the 90% separate collection target.

Strikingly, the Packaging Waste Fund (Afvalfonds), for a long time a fierce opponent of deposits, is no longer opposing a deposit on cans in itself, as appears from the parliamentary letter, but is now entering into the discussion on the substance of the collection target.

The summary of the responses shows that two involved trade associations want to move forward with a deposit on cans.

Metalen Verpakkingen Nederland (MVN), the trade association of manufacturers of metal packaging, is joining the idea and proposes, among other things, that the decision for a deposit on cans should apply to all metal beverage cans, including cans with dairy drinks and juices, to avoid confusion for the public. The MVN believes that a collection obligation for (almost) all sales points would be appropriate.

Recycling Aluminium Verpakkingen Nederland (RAVN) is in favour of a quick decision and believes that right from the start in 2021, the new Dutch deposit system for plastic bottles must be suitable for receiving beverage cans.

“The overview of the responses clearly shows that support is enormous to decide right now that there will be a deposit on cans. Municipalities, consumers, environmental organisations, leading names from the industry and livestock farmers plead in unison in their response to the draft decision on deposit on cans. More than 150 municipalities, companies and organisations are also asking publicly for an immediate decision on a deposit on cans, through the “Statiegeld Yes We Can!” campaign of the Deposit Alliance. We hope that this request, which comes from all corners of society, will be answered positively by the House of Representatives, the cabinet and the state secretary,” concludes environmental organisation Recycling Netwerk Benelux.

Tomorrow/Wednesday, the deposit on cans and metal beverage packaging will be discussed in the General Consultation on Circular Economy in the House of Representatives. The state secretary wants to complete the presentation before the Christmas recess, so that the draft decision can go to the Council of State for advice, she writes in her letter to the House of Representatives.

All public responses to the internet consultation can be read here: https://www.internetconsultatie.nl/besluit_maatregelen_metalen_drankverpakkingen/reacties/datum