Deposit return system in the Netherlands now includes beverage cans

Deposit return system in the Netherlands now includes beverage cans

Sustainability

On April 1st, the Netherlands expanded its deposit return system for drink container recycling to include aluminium and steel drink cans.

This move follows the expansion of the system last year to include small plastic bottles in addition to large plastic bottles.

Although the deposit return system in the Netherlands has mainly focused on plastic drink containers, an estimated 150 million beverage cans end up in the environment every year in the country.

Deposit return system in the Netherlands now includes beverage cans credit TOMRA System ASA
Deposit return system in the Netherlands now includes beverage cans © TOMRA System ASA

Following a 27% increase in the number of aluminium cans found in the environment in 2020, the Dutch government decided to introduce a deposit on cans. Eligible drink containers now have a deposit added to their price, which is fully refunded to recyclers when they return the empties at collection points across the country for recycling.

Rene Hissink, Senior VP Western and Southern Europe, TOMRA Collection, said: "The expansion of the Netherlands' deposit return system to aluminum cans means a new type of material will enter the loop and be able to be returned to the circular economy using appropriate recycling processes. As a result, the Dutch circular economy as a whole will see a boost."

TOMRA, the world's leading provider of reverse vending machines for recycling, has technology capable of accepting all types and materials of drink containers. Its machines are able to process the newly added aluminium and steel drink cans in the Netherlands as part of the expanded deposit return system.

Latest Packaging News

Jenton Group: How heat sealers work (with insights into Soken Engineering’s machines)
Supplier News

Jenton Group: How heat sealers work (with insights into Soken Engineering’s machines)

A recent blog post from Soken Engineering, part of the Jenton Group, explains how heat sealers work...
Why routine testing of metal detectors is essential for food safety
Technology

Why routine testing of metal detectors is essential for food safety

By Rob Stevens, Market Manager, Mettler-Toledo Safeline Metal Detection Metal detection is a...
UK town council introduces blister pack recycling initiative
Sustainability

UK town council introduces blister pack recycling initiative

Residents in Nailsea now have access to a new recycling option for empty medicine blister packs,...
Oreo maker sues Aldi over 'copycat' packaging claims
Business

Oreo maker sues Aldi over 'copycat' packaging claims

Mondelez International, the global snack manufacturer behind Oreo, has filed a lawsuit against...
US government reverses national parks phase-out of single-use plastics
Sustainability

US government reverses national parks phase-out of single-use plastics

The US Department of the Interior has withdrawn a previous policy that aimed to eliminate...