The Netherlands bids farewell to disposable cups and food containers

The switch from single-use to reusable packaging is an important step towards a truly circular economy. In doing so, we stop the waste of raw materials on packaging that we sometimes only need for a few minutes. But what exactly is the situation with the (new) regulations? And where are things going wrong? Where do we stand now? An overview. 40% fewer disposable cups and containers in 2026 The Netherlands wants to get rid of unnecessary use of raw materials, mountains of waste and litter. Reusing packaging is a good way to prevent this. Every day in the Netherlands we throw away 19 million single-use plastic cups and food packaging. The government therefore came up with an ambitious target: 40% fewer disposable cups and containers in 2026 compared to 2022. Last year, two pieces of legislation came into force to work towards that goal, for take-away (on-the-go consumption) and dine-in (on-site consumption), also known as the Single Use Plastic or SUP legislation. The transition from disposable to reusable packaging has started. The legislation in brief Take-away (consumption on the go and home meal delivery) From 1 July 2023, a surcharge must be charged for disposable cups containing plastic and single-use food packaging. In addition, it is mandatory to offer a reusable alternative. This can be: either offering reusable packaging yourself, or facilitating BYO (Bring Your Own), or both. Dine-in (on-site consumption) From 1 January 2024, offering reusable cups and food packaging is mandatory. You may only continue to use disposable packaging if you can collect more than 75% (by volume of weight) separately and offer it for high-quality recycling. This percentage rises to 90% in 2027. High-quality recycling means cup-to-cup, or container-to-container, and no low-grade material such as toilet paper or roadside posts. Legislation without enforcement At the end of 2023, there was suddenly a buzz around the legislation for on-site consumption: disposable manufacturers lobbied for a delay and weakening of the legislation. Amidst the sentiment and lack of clarity surrounding the SUP legislation, both motions were passed by a small majority. A letter signed by 50 parties to political parties was of no avail. Outgoing State Secretary Heijnen was faced with a difficult choice: keep the legislation and stick to her line of recent years or weaken the legislation and thus accommodate the motions. She chose a middle ground: the legislation remained, but enforcement was weakened. Heijnen called on the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) not to enforce the SUP levy and disposable exceptions for on-site consumption. She leaves the decision whether or not to carry out the motions to her successor. Due to the motions, there is no enforcement of the ban on disposable cups containing plastic and food packaging if packaging: contains a maximum of 5% plastic, can be 100% recycled, demonstrably 75% is collected and offered for recycling, and a notification is made to ILT. SUP levy misses the mark At the beginning of 2022, with Mission Reuse, we already called for the legislation to be clear and simple, to focus on reuse systems from the business community and not to place the responsibility on the consumer. The Dutch government came up with a poorly developed SUP levy that could not solve the problem with disposals. Even after the legislation for take away came into force, we indicated why the legislation misses the mark. Making reuse mainstream again In a few decades, as a society, we have become accustomed to disposable packaging. Throw away living, a term first used in post-war America, brought 'convenience and luxury for everyone'. The Netherlands has also become a throwaway society, with a take-away coffee culture that is stronger than in surrounding countries. But now people are no longer looked at strangely with their own reusable cup. The road to reusable has begun. Back to reusable, we should say. Reusable alternatives are slowly but surely becoming mainstream again. Exemplary is 'Die Mok', a adaptation of the hit 'Dream On' by the highly successful Dutch Eurohouse group 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor in the 90s. They performed this BYO version on the TV program 'Even Tot Hier'. Reuse the future Asked what they noticed about Heijnen's decision, a provider of reusable packaging replied: "We are only seeing additional companies switching." The AD called the 20 largest employers in the Netherlands: they are all switching to reusables. Following a successful pilot with Mission Reuse, cinema chain Pathé is also switching to a reusable cup system at all 30 locations. The enforcement organization ILT therefore advises: switch to reuse, then you do not have to report and keep records.

The switch from single-use to reusable packaging is an important step towards a truly circular economy. In doing so, we stop the waste of raw materials on packaging that we sometimes only need for a few minutes. But what exactly is the situation with the (new) regulations? And where are things going wrong?

Where do we stand now? An overview.

40% fewer disposable cups and containers in 2026

The Netherlands wants to get rid of unnecessary use of raw materials, mountains of waste and litter. Reusing packaging is a good way to prevent this. Every day in the Netherlands we throw away 19 million single-use plastic cups and food packaging. The government therefore came up with an ambitious target: 40% fewer disposable cups and containers in 2026 compared to 2022. Last year, two pieces of legislation came into force to work towards that goal, for take-away (on-the-go consumption) and dine-in (on-site consumption), also known as the Single Use Plastic or SUP legislation. The transition from disposable to reusable packaging has started.

The legislation in brief

Take-away (consumption on the go and home meal delivery)

From 1 July 2023, a surcharge must be charged for disposable cups containing plastic and single-use food packaging. In addition, it is mandatory to offer a reusable alternative. This can be: either offering reusable packaging yourself, or facilitating BYO (Bring Your Own), or both.

Dine-in (on-site consumption)

From 1 January 2024, offering reusable cups and food packaging is mandatory. You may only continue to use disposable packaging if you can collect more than 75% (by volume of weight) separately and offer it for high-quality recycling. This percentage rises to 90% in 2027. High-quality recycling means cup-to-cup, or container-to-container, and no low-grade material such as toilet paper or roadside posts.

Legislation without enforcement

At the end of 2023, there was suddenly a buzz around the legislation for on-site consumption: disposable manufacturers lobbied for a delay and weakening of the legislation. Amidst the sentiment and lack of clarity surrounding the SUP legislation, both motions were passed by a small majority. A letter signed by 50 parties to political parties was of no avail. Outgoing State Secretary Heijnen was faced with a difficult choice: keep the legislation and stick to her line of recent years or weaken the legislation and thus accommodate the motions. She chose a middle ground: the legislation remained, but enforcement was weakened. Heijnen called on the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) not to enforce the SUP levy and disposable exceptions for on-site consumption. She leaves the decision whether or not to carry out the motions to her successor.

Due to the motions, there is no enforcement of the ban on disposable cups containing plastic and food packaging if packaging: contains a maximum of 5% plastic, can be 100% recycled, demonstrably 75% is collected and offered for recycling, and a notification is made to ILT.

SUP levy misses the mark

At the beginning of 2022, with Mission Reuse, we already called for the legislation to be clear and simple, to focus on reuse systems from the business community and not to place the responsibility on the consumer. The Dutch government came up with a poorly developed SUP levy that could not solve the problem with disposals. Even after the legislation for take away came into force, we indicated why the legislation misses the mark.

Making reuse mainstream again

In a few decades, as a society, we have become accustomed to disposable packaging. Throw away living, a term first mentioned in post-war America, brought 'convenience and luxury for everyone'. The Netherlands has also become a throwaway society, with a take-away coffee culture that is stronger than in surrounding countries. But now people are no longer looked at strangely with their own reusable cup. The road to reusable has begun. Back to reusable, we should say. Reusable alternatives are slowly but surely becoming mainstream again.

Exemplary is ‘Die Mok’, a adaptation of the hit ‘Dream On’ by the highly successful Dutch Eurohouse group 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor in the 90s. They performed this BYO version on the TV program 'Even Tot Hier'.

Reuse the future

Asked what they noticed about Heijnen's decision, a provider of reusable packaging replied: "We are only seeing additional companies switching." The AD called the 20 largest employers in the Netherlands: they are all switching to reusables. Following a successful pilot with Mission Reuse, cinema chain Pathé is also switching to a reusable cup system at all 30 locations. The enforcement organization ILT therefore advises: switch to reuse, then you do not have to report and keep records.

But companies are not going to innovate or invest (or change business models) without steering legislation or economic incentives. That is why it is important that providers of reusable solutions feel supported by a stable government.

Best practices other countries

France made reuse mandatory for on-site consumption, with no exceptions

Luxembourg published legislation for reuse measures whereby disposable packaging is phased out.

Austria set the binding and enforceable target of 25% reusable beverage packaging by 2025 in November.

Sweden came up with a reduction target of 50% for cups and food packaging by 2026.

Paris is going for reusable cups and food containers during the 2024 Olympic Games

The Danish city of Aarhus recently launched a first city-wide system for reuse (starting with cups) with convenient collection points in public spaces and largely aligned with the European blueprint developed by RSVP

The German municipality of Tübingen has been levying a tax on disposable packaging for food and drink since 2022

Frontrunners in our own country:

The municipality of Leiden was the first municipality to introduce a city-wide reusable (coffee) cup with a deposit in July 2023

Tilburg catering industry launches Tilly at carnival, an overarching hard cup system in which all pubs participate

The Dutch beer sector has been showing for years what a broad, well-functioning reuse system looks like

Major football stadiums such as PSV, Groningen, Twente, Willem II, De Graafschap and RKC are or are switching to reusable hard cups

The twenty largest employers are switching to reuse

McDonald's, Rabobank and NS have switched to reusable

Conclusion

The transition from disposable to reusable packaging has now truly started. According to the Council for the Environment and Infrastructure, the cabinet must 'conduct policy aimed at phasing out the throwaway society, which stands in the way of the transition to a sustainable and circular economy. This requires an active government that takes control and sets a good example.' Perhaps in a few decades we will look back and wonder why we wasted so many materials all that time.

Curious for more?

Karl Beerenfenger of Mission Reuse (a joint transition programme of Enviu, Natuur & Milieu and Recycling Netwerk Benelux) is available for comments and interviews.