More plastic bottles collected for deposit, but target still way beyond reach

The collection of plastic bottles is improving in the Netherlands, but it is still short of its target. According to Verpact, the association responsible for collecting and reusing plastic bottles on behalf of the beverage sector, the collection percentage rose to 74 percent. The rate was 68 percent a year earlier. However, the law stipulates that the beverage industry must collect at least 90 percent of the bottles sold.

Verpact is working on realizing extra collection points for bottles and ensuring that more juice manufacturers participate in the deposit system. The organization may also use a national campaign to convince consumers of the benefits of handing in their deposit packages.

The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) said last month that manufacturers and importers of soft drinks, for example, need to make it easier and more attractive for consumers to hand in plastic drinking bottles. They need to research whether the fee for handing in the bottles needs to be raised. Too many bottles are not being returned currently, said the Inspectorate, which is threatening to impose more than 300 million euros in fines to get the sector moving. ILT has set its sights on Verpact.

"You can almost go around the world with the uncollected deposit bottles from 2022 if you put them upright one after the other," the ILT stated last month. Deposit on a small plastic bottle or a can is now 15 cents. On a large plastic bottle, it is 25 cents.

Numbers published by Verpact showed that just under a quarter of all drinking cartons in the Netherlands, for example, dairy products or juices, are being recycled. The business community is also falling short in this regard, as the legal target for last year was 34 percent.

Verpact claims that a lot of drinking cartons were collected, but there is a shortage of available recycling points. A fire at a post-collection separation plant also temporarily reduced the number of beverage cartons being post-separated and recycled. Verpact says it has now taken the necessary measures. The organization assumes it will reach the legal target this year.

The business community did reach its recycling target when it comes to glass, plastic, and wood. According to Verpact, the Netherlands and Belgium have managed to maintain their position as leaders in Europe in this regard.