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. 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.
Packaging
policy
Ean end to unnecessary over-packaging and scaling up reuse
Recycling
High-quality recycling as crucial means of closing the loop
Litter
We are committed on better regulation and infrastructure for waste collection
Waste export
Ending the negative environmental and health impacts caused by waste exports.
‘By putting value on empty packaging, deposits ensure that waste becomes a raw material again.’
Latest publications
About Waste & Pollution
[Position paper] On the road to ambitious Deposit Return Systems all over Europe
@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@ While the general ambitions of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), especially regarding the reuse targets, have been largely watered down by industry lobbies, we do still welcome the direction given to DRS in the new revision of the PPWR. With this joint letter – signed by 50 European organizations – we comment on the regulation, which consecrates DRS as a solution to increase selective collection, foster reuse
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#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.
Study: tackling litter mainly helps producers of single-use products
Full report (EN) Each region of Belgium has a different litter policy. Flanders has a -20% target for 2022 compared to 2015, which has not been achieved. In Wallonia and Brussels, agreements on litter are less clearly formulated and there is a lack of proper monitoring. In no region is litter tackled at the source. Full report (EN) Each region of Belgium has a different litter policy. Flanders has a -20% target for 2022
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Fost Plus is exaggerating: Belgian recycling figures are incorrect
Fost Plus has been publishing the most spectacular recycling figures for years. For some materials we even achieve more than 100%. How is it possible that we recycle more in Belgium than we consume?