Ochtend Flits

The Netherlands runs a mandatory deposit (statiegeld) on plastic bottles and cans. You pay a small surcharge when you buy the drink; you get it back when you return the container to a machine at the supermarket. For the broader Dutch pattern of everyday environmental design, see Environment.

What it covers

• Small plastic bottles (≤1L) and aluminium cans: €0.15 deposit — cans were added in April 2023
• Large plastic bottles (>1L): €0.25 deposit — has been in place since 2005

Not every plastic bottle qualifies. Look for the statiegeld logo on the label before assuming you can return it.

How to return

Most supermarkets (Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, Plus) have a statiegeldautomaat — a reverse vending machine, usually near the entrance. Feed in the bottles and cans one by one, collect a voucher, redeem at the checkout.

What it doesn't cover

Glass bottles are largely outside the system (some local shops and breweries run their own deposits, but there's no national scheme). Cartons, pouches, and non-qualifying plastics go in the regular recycling.

Why it matters

Return rates are high — the machines are everywhere and the habit is ingrained. Littering a bottle with a 15ct deposit is genuinely costly to Dutch sensibilities.

Recent moves

• 2026-06-29: The cabinet proposed extending statiegeld to plastic bottles (up to 3L) for milk, juice, yoghurt drinks, and protein shakes — currently exempt, despite making up about 12% of all plastic bottles sold. Minister Van Veldhoven's argument: without covering dairy bottles, the Netherlands can't hit its legal 90% collection target, which risks the EU imposing stricter rules (e.g. forcing supermarkets to accept deposit returns from any EU country) from 2029 onward. Supermarkets are pushing back on hygiene grounds for returning used dairy containers. No deposit amount or start date set yet. Source.