No more excuses allowed: Rutte III must expand the deposit return scheme

Response of Recycling Netwerk to deposit system study and letter to the House of Representatives

Study shows that deposits on all PET bottles and cans generate money for society and reduce plastic bottles in litter by up to 90%

“The detailed study shows that the expansion of the deposit system does not have to cost anything in net terms. In all 8 studied scenarios, the estimated revenues for the business sectors are, on average, even higher than the estimated costs. Due to savings of up to 80 million in clean-up costs, the system is also cheaper for municipalities and therefore the taxpayer”. This is the conclusion of Rob Buurman of Recycling Netwerk, a coalition of environmental organisations, on Thursday evening from the new deposit system study and the letter from outgoing State Secretary Sharon Dijksma (PvdA) to the House of Representatives.

The ChristenUnie, which is co-negotiating the new Rutte III cabinet, is a strong supporter of deposits. D66 also showed itself to be a supporter of deposits on small bottles and cans. “The results of the study now show that the expansion of the deposit system is also economically attractive”, explains Buurman.

Last February, the Rutte II cabinet decided to reduce the amount of plastic bottles in the environment by 90% within three years. It did so in response to the Plastic Soup Surfer motion, which was signed by 55,000 Dutch citizens. The study, conducted by consultancy and research firm CE Delft, shows today that deposits can have this effect. “With this, the next government can ensure that up to 6 million fewer plastic bottles end up in the environment every year,” says Buurman.

“The Netherlands wants to be a frontrunner in the circular economy. This study shows that with deposits we save raw materials, help the climate and also tackle the plastic soup,” explains Rob Buurman.

“At the moment, the bill for littered beverage packaging lies with the municipalities. And therefore with everyone who pays their taxes properly. By expanding the deposit system, municipalities can save up to 80 million euros on the costs of cleaning up bottles and cans. That is 80 million less that ends up on the taxpayer's plate,” emphasises Buurman.

The study shows that deposits have other environmental benefits as well. 44-54 kton less CO2 is emitted. This has a value of 3.5 to 27 million euros. In addition, the costs for emptying public waste bins decrease by 3 to 10 million euros.

“The interesting thing about this study is that it proves the benefits of expanding deposits. The ball is now in the court of VVD, CDA, ChristenUnie and D66. If they do not include the expansion of the deposit system in their coalition agreement, Rutte III will never be credible in the area of the circular economy,” concludes Rob Buurman, director of Recycling Netwerk.

More info:

Rob Buurman

Director of Recycling Netwerk

rob@fairresourcefoundation.org

+31 616401040

  See also: Introduction of deposit system decimates litter

Response of Recycling Netwerk to deposit system study and letter to the House of Representatives

Study shows that deposits on all PET bottles and cans generate money for society and reduce plastic bottles in litter by up to 90%

“The detailed study shows that the expansion of the deposit system does not have to cost anything in net terms. In all 8 studied scenarios, the estimated revenues for the business sectors are, on average, even higher than the estimated costs. Due to savings of up to 80 million in clean-up costs, the system is also cheaper for municipalities and therefore the taxpayer”. This is the conclusion of Rob Buurman of Recycling Netwerk, a coalition of environmental organisations, on Thursday evening from the new deposit system study and the letter from outgoing State Secretary Sharon Dijksma (PvdA) to the House of Representatives.

The ChristenUnie, which is co-negotiating the new Rutte III cabinet, is a strong supporter of deposits. D66 also showed itself to be a supporter of deposits on small bottles and cans. “The results of the study now show that the expansion of the deposit system is also economically attractive”, explains Buurman.

Last February, the Rutte II cabinet decided to reduce the amount of plastic bottles in the environment by 90% within three years. It did so in response to the Plastic Soup Surfer motion, which was signed by 55,000 Dutch citizens. The study, conducted by consultancy and research firm CE Delft, shows today that deposits can have this effect. “With this, the next government can ensure that up to 6 million fewer plastic bottles end up in the environment every year,” says Buurman.

“The Netherlands wants to be a frontrunner in the circular economy. This study shows that with deposits we save raw materials, help the climate and also tackle the plastic soup,” explains Rob Buurman.

“At the moment, the bill for littered beverage packaging lies with the municipalities. And therefore with everyone who pays their taxes properly. By expanding the deposit system, municipalities can save up to 80 million euros on the costs of cleaning up bottles and cans. That is 80 million less that ends up on the taxpayer's plate,” emphasises Buurman.

The study shows that deposits have other environmental benefits as well. 44-54 kton less CO2 is emitted. This has a value of 3.5 to 27 million euros. In addition, the costs for emptying public waste bins decrease by 3 to 10 million euros.

“The interesting thing about this study is that it proves the benefits of expanding deposits. The ball is now in the court of VVD, CDA, ChristenUnie and D66. If they do not include the expansion of the deposit system in their coalition agreement, Rutte III will never be credible in the area of the circular economy,” concludes Rob Buurman, director of Recycling Netwerk.

More info:

Rob Buurman Director of Recycling Netwerk rob@fairresourcefoundation.org +31 616401040