Recycling of Household Packaging in Netherlands: Legislation, EPR & Infrastructure Highlights
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The Netherlands is a developed country located in Northwestern Europe, with an estimated population of approximately 18 million people. About 94.2% of the population lives in urban areas, leading to a high population density of around 516 people per km².
The country has a highly effective recycling system, achieving a packaging waste recycling rate of 75.2% in 2022, which exceeds both the Dutch legal target of 72% and the European target of 65%.
| Main Laws | Packaging Management Decree 2014 (Besluit Beheer Verpakkingen 2014) EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applicable from Aug 2026 |
| EPR | Comprehensive EPR schemes managed by Dutch PRO Verpact |
| Bonus/Penalty Scheme | Bonus system in place for plastic products |
| National Plastic Tax | No national plastic tax |
| Labelling Requirements | EU harmonised labelling requirements |
| DRS | Established since before 2025 for PET bottles and aluminium/tin cans Extended to include aluminium/steel cans with €0.15 deposit from April 2023 |
| PPWR | Applicable from August 2026 |
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Recent developments in Netherlands
Publication date: 15/10/2025
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Publication date: 18/10/2025
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Publication date: 29/10/2025 - Verpact Launches 2026 Recycle Check to Strengthen Packaging Recyclability Standards
Verpact has released the updated Recycle Check 2026, a key tool for assessing packaging recyclability in the Dutch market. The new version introduces clearer definitions of main components and target materials, stricter criteria for heavy metals, and revised rules for coatings, labels, and compatibilisers. The platform has also been redesigned for greater usability and transparency.
Developed under Verpact following the full integration of the former Knowledge Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV), the Recycle Check remains accessible through the KIDV website until migration to Verpact’s platform is complete.
Publication date: 15/04/2025 - New Measures Expected in 2026 for Single-Use Plastics
Since 1 July 2023, a surcharge has been imposed on single-use plastics for on-the-go items like cups and food packaging, whether made entirely or partially of plastic. A proposal to exempt paper/cardboard cups containing up to 5% plastic from this surcharge was rejected to comply with European reduction targets.
From 1 January 2024, single-use plastic cups and containers are banned in venues such as restaurants, company canteens, and sports clubs, which now use reusable tableware.
Enforcement of the surcharge and rules regarding paper cups with up to 5% plastic is suspended until 31 December 2025. New measures are expected in 2026, although specifics remain unclear.
Publication date: 11/12/2024 - Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams Invest €3 Million in New PolyAl Recycling Plant
Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams have announced a joint €3 million investment in a new recycling plant in Ittervoort, Netherlands. Set to begin operations in the latter half of 2025, the facility will focus on recycling polyAl from used beverage cartons.
The plant will have an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes, capable of processing the entire polyAl volume from beverage cartons recycled in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as part of Germany’s volume. This new facility will complement Recon Polymers’ existing 8,000-tonne capacity plant in Roosendaal.
Publication date: 13/11/2024 - Verpact Anticipates Surge in Deposit Packaging Collections for 2024
Verpact forecasts increased collection rates for 2024, projecting 78% for plastic drink bottles and 82% for cans, up from 73% and 75% in 2023, respectively. This would surpass the European target a year ahead of schedule but remains under the Dutch target of 90%. Verpact has ruled out raising deposit amounts to meet these targets.
Since last year, 1,109 new collection points have been added, bringing the total to 5,046, aiming for a regulatory goal of 5,400 by January 2027. Verpact believes the current deposit rates are adequate, as higher deposits might raise societal costs and lead to the use of more environmentally damaging packaging.
Publication date: 18/07/2024 - HolyGrail 2.0 Initiative Advances Recycling Technology in the Netherlands
The HolyGrail 2.0 Initiative has launched a pivotal project with ALPLA, Farm Dairy, and Pellenc ST to test FiliGrade Sustainable Watermarks’ CurvCode technology on HDPE milk bottles. Aimed at enhancing the sorting and recycling of plastic waste, this project aligns with upcoming regulations for increased recycled content in packaging. The first phase involves semi-industrial sorting trials, moving CurvCode technology towards a higher readiness level (TRL 7).
Further trials and a pilot market launch are scheduled for 2024 in France, as part of broader efforts to foster a circular economy through digital watermarking solutions.
Publication date: 18/07/2024 - Increase in Return Rates of Cans Recorded in First Quarter of 2024
In the first quarter of 2024, the Netherlands recorded a significant percentage increase in can redemptions, with 75% of cans sold being returned through the deposit system, representing a 10 percentage point increase from the final quarter of 2023. The total number of cans collected rose slightly from 378 million to 390 million.
As warmer weather boosts sales of canned beverages, the effectiveness of the 15 pence deposit incentive is under scrutiny, particularly regarding whether it can achieve the targeted 90% return rate amid increasing outdoor activities.