Starting in 2026, the Netherlands will implement a mandatory surcharge of 25 cents on disposable cups and food containers used for takeaway services. This decision was announced by Secretary of State for the Environment, Chris Jansen, following an evaluation of regulations surrounding single-use plastics.
Since July 2022, businesses have been required to charge a fee for plastic-containing disposable packaging, but the amount was left to their discretion. Some establishments charged as little as 1 cent. The new fixed surcharge aims to standardize fees, making the rules clearer for both entrepreneurs and consumers, and to encourage the use of reusable packaging.
Surcharges for home delivery and pre-packaged supermarket items, such as meal salads, will be scrapped, as reusable alternatives are not currently feasible for these products. Additionally, exceptions previously granted to establishments with high recycling rates will be discontinued, except for certain events.
These measures are part of the European Single-Use Plastics Directive, aiming to reduce plastic waste by promoting the use of reusable options. The Netherlands disposes of approximately 19 million plastic cups and food containers daily. The government aims to reduce this number by 40% by 2026 compared to 2022 levels. According to Jansen, the country is on track to meet this target.
Source: NOS