Deposits on plastic bottles to be scrapped

The packaging industry and junior environment minister Joop Atsma have worked out a deal on waste disposal and recycling which will end the system of deposits on plastic bottles.


The deal sets new targets for waste recycling. For example, within 10 years, 52% of plastic waste should be recycled. ‘This agreement removes the need to levy deposits,’ Atsma said in a briefing to MPs.
The switch to the new system for recycling packaging waste will not come into effect until January 2014 at the earliest, the minister said.
Costly
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, the Financieele Dagblad reports that MPs and local councils are opposed to the scrapping of deposits on plastic bottles.
They say deposits on large bottles are essential to reduce litter and that the €20m the drinks industry has agreed to pay to clear up litter is not enough. Some parties are currently campaigning for the introduction of deposits on cans and small plastic bottles as well.

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