Deposit system overhaul: more collection points, faster repairs, rewards for returns

To improve the collection of bottles and cans, Verpact, the foundation representing the beverage sector and responsible for the deposit system, plans to increase the number of collection points and offer rewards to customers who return containers. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the sector is required to collect at least 90 percent of bottles and cans, a target that has consistently fallen short. Verpact hopes that these measures will prevent the imposition of a financial penalty.

According to the ministry, nearly 3,000 extra collection points must be added in supermarkets by the end of next year. Collection points at festivals and events are also set to double, return machines will be repaired twice as fast, and even damaged or dented bottles and cans will be accepted.

Verpact also intends to introduce a rewards campaign allowing people to win prizes, though details about the prizes and chances of winning have not yet been announced. Verpact CEO Hester Klein Lankhorst cited winning World Cup tickets as an example. Documents submitted by the Ministry of Infrastructure to Parliament reveal that Verpact will cover 120 million euros for the package itself.

Another goal is to prevent trash bins from being vandalized by people collecting deposit bottles. Verpact is collaborating with major cities on a set of measures that other municipalities can select from, Klein Lankhorst explained. She cited donation rings on trash bins as one example.

The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, which oversees bottle and can collection, has so far reacted positively to Verpact’s plan. A penalty was looming if the sector did not show improvement.

Verpact had previously been allowed to increase the deposit, but State Secretary for Environment Thierry Aartsen opposed this measure, since the cost would be passed on to consumers. Another alternative considered was providing people with higher refunds through a “return bonus.”

The ministry said that “intensive discussions” with Verpact were needed. Aartsen welcomed the result, describing it as “a comprehensive set of measures to address litter and waste.”

Aartsen and Klein Lankhorst both believe the measures will be enough to achieve the 90 percent collection target. “If it isn’t sufficient, we will take additional steps,” Klein Lankhorst said. “But we are confident that these measures will work.”