Waste & pollution
Waste and pollution are not only a threat to the environment and health, but also to the economy and well-being of society as a whole. Reducing waste and pollution and promoting high-quality recycling are therefore vital to the preservation of our planet and the well-being of future generations. We are therefore on the barricades for ambitious waste policies that are committed to high-quality recycling, less packaging and fighting litter.
not waste but raw material
In the Netherlands, as in many industrialized countries, despite efforts to reduce waste, the amount of waste generated remains significant. And although the Netherlands scores relatively well on waste management compared to some other countries, there is still a long way to go before cycles are closed. There are still many opportunities for further improvement, especially in the areas of prevention, recycling and reducing litter.
We advocate a focus on reducing waste and resource use, rather than relying solely on recycling as the solution to waste problems. Recycling is not always the best solution, especially with plastic packaging waste where the quality of the recycled material is often low and much energy is consumed. Therefore we encourage high-quality recycling and proper deposit systems. Furthermore, we are working on systems where disposable packaging is avoided and the use of reusable alternatives are the standard. We want as little waste as possible. If waste does arise then it is reused as a raw material.
Discover more about our work within this theme by clicking on any of the pages below.
‘By putting value on empty packaging, deposits ensure that waste becomes a raw material again.’
Latest publications
About Waste & Pollution
Why is The Netherlands a key player in the global plastic waste market?
Despite its size, the Netherlands is one of the world’s top plastic waste exporters. With Rotterdam as a key hub, vast amounts of plastic flow—often untraceably—to countries with poor recycling infrastructure. Weak enforcement and legal loopholes make this a high-profit, low-risk business. Where does all that waste go, and who pays the price?
PFAS: the reason why chicken eggs are dangerous to your health
Amsterdam, 30 January 2024 – PFAS, the ‘eternal chemical’, is now everywhere: in our food, in our water and even in chicken eggs. How did this happen? Transparency International Netherlands (TI-NL) is investigating the root causes of this problem as part of its Weeffouten project.
#EndDoublePackaging: Your pictures can end double packaging
RNB joins forces with other Belgian NGOs to launch the #EndDoublePackaging campaign to encourage consumers to report cases of overpackaging.