Councils oppose plan to stop deposits on plastic bottles

Government plans to stop the deposit system on plastic bottles in 2014 are opposed by a majority of local councils, who are responsible for collecting plastic waste.


The packaging industry and junior environment minister Joop Atsma said at the beginning of March they had agreed a deal on waste disposal and recycling which will end the system of deposits on plastic bottles.
Companies want an end to the deposit system which means plastic bottles are collected separately from other plastic waste. This, they say, is expensive and inefficient.
However, research by local authorities’ association VNG shows just over half of the Netherlands’ 415 local councils do not think deposits should be phased out before 2015 and 48% oppose the plan in its entirety. The VNG said on Monday the deposit system is regarded by many councils as an essential weapon against litter.
MPs are due to debate Atsma’s proposals on Tuesday.

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