Dutch supermarkets to reduce packaging by 20% by 2025

Dutch supermarkets are determined to use less and more sustainable packaging, according to supermarkets' association CBL. The goal is to reduce packaging material by 20 percent by 2025, RTL Nieuws reports.

The supermarkets will start with the handling of fruit and vegetables. "The most important question is what the function of the packaging is. Where it is possible and also the sustainable solution, packaging material will be significantly reduced."

In addition to this "substantial reduction of packaging", the CBL also wants 95 percent of the remaining packaging to be recyclable by 2025.

Information center Milieu Centraal is not impressed by these goals. "I do not think 20 percent is very much in five years", director Vera Dalm said to NOS. She believes that in addition to making agreements about supermarkets' private labels, CBL should also target large manufactures like Coca Cola and Unox.