Dutch government proposes easier deposit return system

The Dutch government has proposed new measures to simplify and improve the usability of the deposit return system for bottles and cans. Minister of Climate and Green Growth, Van Veldhoven, is submitting the proposal to the House of Representatives with the goal of implementing the new rules by January 1, 2028.

The initiative aims to meet a European regulatory requirement to collect 90% of all plastic bottles and cans by 2029. To achieve this, the government plans to expand the deposit mandate to include all plastic bottles up to 3 liters, including dairy and juice bottles, ensuring that plastic bottles and cans can no longer be sold without a deposit.

Key improvements focus on increasing the number of collection points and reducing consumer friction, such as long queues and malfunctioning machines. The government intends to address current confusion regarding which packaging carries a deposit to ensure higher compliance and support a circular economy.