Dutch Supermarkets Raise Hygiene Concerns Over Extended Bottle Deposit Plan

The Dutch government's initiative to expand the deposit system to encompass plastic milk and juice bottles has met with significant resistance from the supermarket sector, which has raised alarms about potential hygiene risks. The plan, spearheaded by Minister Stientje van Veldhoven, aims to bolster recycling efforts by mandating deposits on all plastic bottles up to three liters, including those for milk and juice.

The Central Bureau for Food Trade (CBL), representing Dutch supermarkets, expressed grave concerns in a letter to the Tweede Kamer, citing potential threats to food safety and public health if dairy packaging is collected through supermarkets. The CBL highlighted findings from Eurofins, a laboratory group, which reported that collecting milk bottles could lead to odor issues and attract pests due to leaking or improperly sealed containers.

Under the proposed system, deposits would extend to plastic bottles and cans that currently do not require them. This includes increasing the number of return locations nationwide and introducing more bulk return machines for consumer convenience. Proposed regulations might also mandate that all sales points accept returned containers, expanding the current system that requires deposits primarily on bottles for water and soft drinks.

Minister van Veldhoven informed Parliament that the country has yet to meet the legislative requirement of a 90% collection rate for plastic bottles. Failure to achieve this could lead to stricter European Union regulations by 2029, potentially necessitating that all retailers accept deposit packaging and include foreign bottles and cans in the system.

In response to these challenges, the government is urging Verpact, the organization managing the national deposit system for beverage packaging, to enhance its efforts. Although Verpact has never reached the 90% collection target, it is actively expanding return points and preparing a detailed plan for the collection of dairy bottles, expected to be released in September.

Verpact has expressed support for the minister's involvement, affirming its commitment to achieving the ambitious 90% target by 2029. This initiative aligns with broader environmental goals, although it also poses significant logistical and financial challenges for producers and retailers.