What is Belgium’s approach to can deposits now that the Netherlands has implemented them starting 1 April?

Originally, the system was supposed to become operational as early as January 1, but that was pushed back by three months due to organizational problems.

There will be approximately 27,000 collection points spread across the Netherlands, including at larger supermarkets, filling stations along highways, at sports clubs, but also at major train stations including Utrecht Central and Amsterdam Central. The intention is that collection points will soon be installed at all manned train stations. People can then get money back or donate it to charities.

There are also plans to set up collection points at secondary schools because there are often many cans floating around on the street.

Every year, more than 2.5 billion cans of beer, soft drinks and other drinks are placed on the Dutch market, as well as more than 600 million large plastic bottles and 900 million small bottles. Currently, approximately 150 million cans per year still end up in nature as litter. In total, small and large plastic bottles and cans will require an annual amount of approximately 700 million euros in deposits.

Incidentally, there will be a transitional period before all cans have a deposit logo because old stocks in stores must first be cleared.

There are also plans in Flanders and Belgium to introduce a deposit on cans and plastic bottles. In Brussels and Wallonia, the introduction of a deposit was included in the coalition agreement and at the end of 2022 the Flemish government announced that it wants to introduce a deposit on cans and plastic bottles from 2025. The aim is to test digital systems through pilot projects. If a digital system proves to be unfeasible, a classic deposit system such as abroad would be opted for. It is also the intention that Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia introduce the same system.