Stores, cinemas, kiosks don't want to place deposit points for cans, plastic bottles

Points of sale for soft drink bottles or cans, like stores, cinemas, kiosks, and amusement parks, don’t want to place points where people can return their bottles and cans for a deposit. They are also vehemently against talk of making it mandatory for them to take back the packaging, NOS discovered when surveying them.

Since the deposit scheme was introduced for small plastic bottles in 2021 and cans in 2023, there has been a lot of discussion about how few extra collection points have been placed. An advisory research agency said that collection points should have increased by approximately 8,000 for a smooth-flowing deposit scheme. According to Verpact, the organization responsible for the deposit system on behalf of drinks manufacturers, it’s placed around 800 extra return points.

As a result, the collection is lagging behind. Last year, Verpact collected 68 percent of plastic bottles sold, far below the 90 percent target. Cans’ first target year is next year. People who buy a soda at an amusement park, for example, have to carry it with them for the rest of the day and later take it to a collection point. Many don’t, and the packaging ends up in the bin, where people desperate for cash go looking for deposit packaging, resulting in trash on the street. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has ordered Verpact to improve or face fines.

Cleaning services, municipalities, and environmental organizations have called for an obligation on points of sale to place return points for deposit packaging. While most sellers agree that there should be more collection points, NOS discovered that they all have a reason why it can’t be them.

Cinemas told NOS that placing a return point for cans and bottles would be impractical. There are peak times after films finish, and long waiting times and congestion could occur.

A HEMA spokesperson told the broadcaster that drinks are only a small part of the HEMA range. The department store, therefore, focuses on collecting more frequently sold products like textiles and batteries.

Action said that supermarkets should place collection points “because consumers are used to it.” GAMMA/Karwei also advocates for placing collection points in busy places where lots of people pass. It does not include its own locations among them.

Fuel stations say that drinks bought in their stores are mainly consumed in the car. “We suspect that returns don’t take place at our premises.”

NS placed return devices at five large train stations but won’t place more yet. According to the rail company, consumers are not used to returning packaging on the go, and more collection points at the stations would, therefore, be pointless.

The trade association for amusement parks is against mandatory collection points. Employers’ organization MKB Nederland thinks the government should offer cost-covering compensation for entrepreneurs who voluntarily place collection points.

The supermarket trade association referred NOS to Verpact. Verpact said the government will decide whether to make return points mandatory.