The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) is putting strong pressure on Verpact, the organization responsible for the deposit-return system on behalf of the business sector. According to the ILT, the collection of small plastic bottles and cans has been structurally below the legal target of 90 percent for years. To correct this, ILT demands that Verpact introduce a stronger financial incentive for consumers by January 1, 2026. Verpact must choose between doubling the deposit from 15 to 30 cents or keeping the deposit at 15 cents but adding a 15-cent return bonus for each item handed in. If Verpact does not comply, the organization faces a penalty that could reach up to €21 million. ILT considers these measures necessary to permanently raise the collection rate.
Verpact strongly opposes the new requirements. It argues that it is already working on expanding the number of collection points, a demand from an earlier penalty order, but believes the additional financial measures go too far and cannot be implemented in such a short time. The organization has therefore asked the Council of State for a temporary suspension (“pause button”) of the penalty, stating it needs more time for a responsible rollout.
The relationship between ILT and Verpact has been tense for some time. Confidential documents obtained by the newspaper AD show that ILT accuses the industry of deliberately slowing down improvements and acting “calculatingly” and “opportunistically.”
Operational problems also fuel frustration. Since the inclusion of small bottles in 2021 and cans in 2023, the infrastructure has fallen short: many retail locations lack sufficient or appropriate return machines. This leads to long waiting lines and limited return capacity, particularly in busy areas such as train stations and city centers. Meanwhile, ILT highlights that the current system creates a perverse incentive: companies financially benefit from unredeemed deposits. Between mid-2021 and the end of 2024, this amounted to more than half a billion euros.
The Council of State will assess Verpact’s request for suspension. Its ruling may significantly influence how the Dutch deposit-return system will be shaped in the coming years.
