An important step in the fight against plastic waste! Earlier, the Dutch government has already planned measures to reduce the use of plastic, about which we wrote earlier. And from July 1, 2021, residents of our country will be able to hand over small plastic bottles in exchange for a deposit (deposit). We really hope that with the introduction of such changes, the amount of garbage will be significantly reduced.
What is changing?
From July 1, at the time of purchase of soft drinks or water, a deposit (deposit) of 15 cents will be charged for plastic bottles with a volume of less than one liter. If, after use, you return them to the supermarket or to other designated points, you will receive your deposit (deposit) back. It is important to note that this innovation does not apply to bottles of juice, syrup, dairy products, etc.
How to check if a bottle can be exchanged for a deposit?
Logo and barcode. The logo shown on the left must be displayed on each bottle to be exchanged for a deposit. Statiegeld nederland – the organization coordinating this deposit system has also created an application for iOS and Android that allows you to scan the barcode of the bottle and see the deposit amount.
In other words, to get your 15 cents back, it is important that the barcode label remains on the bottle. “Receiving machines in supermarkets scan this barcode and, if it is missing, the bottle will not be accepted,” says Raymond Gianotten (Raymond Gianotten) of Statiegeld nederland.
Where are the collection points located?
The bottle picking obligation applies to supermarkets and gas stations along the roads, and other soft drink sellers can do so voluntarily. However, it is difficult to estimate the total number of such points at the moment - after all, enterprises in the sphere hospitality only now are they starting to fully work after the lifting of restrictions related to the pandemic. So, Statiegeld nederland envisages 62 voluntary collection points for bottles, in addition to 000 points in supermarkets and gas stations. It is planned that during 12 special collection machines will appear at the five largest stations, and in 000 the number of such stations will increase to fifty.
In this regard, a technical question arises - what if the filling station operates on the principle of self-service? Who will issue a receipt, like in a supermarket, and return the deposit? In this case, there is no need to worry - it is planned that the deposit will be made directly to the account of the person who handed over the bottle.
And one more important innovation - you can return bottles at any collection point, and not just at the place where you bought them.
Are you obligated to return your bottles?
No, you don't have to do this, and you won't be fined by anyone if you throw the bottle in the trash. However, in this case the deposit will not be returned to you, which is logical. “The unclaimed deposits thus generated are used, among other things, to improve waste processing technology,” summarizes Deposit in the Netherlands.
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The story with deposits (pledges) is not over yet. It began a few years ago with the introduction of a 25-cent charge for plastic bottles of one liter or more. From July 1 of this year, plastic bottles up to one liter are received on a bail of 15 cents. And in the next stage, it is planned that from the end of 2022, cans for drinks will also be subject to a 15-cent deposit. Follow our news!
Publication Date: 24.06.2021
