MPs back deposit system for drinks cans, if current rules expand to small plastic bottles

MPs will back the introduction of deposits on drinks cans if plans to put deposits on small plastic bottles go ahead in 2021, broadcaster NOS said on Friday.

MPs are concerned that food companies will switch to cans if deposits are introduced on all bottles and that the amount of litter will not go down as a result, NOS said.

Last month, junior environment minister Stientje van Veldhoven told  Trouw in an interview that the coalition has concluded the introduction of deposits on small bottles is ‘inevitable’ because the industry has failed to reduce littering in line with earlier agreements.

Van Veldhoven told the drinks industry at the beginning of last year she would expand the deposit scheme unless the amount of small plastic bottles included in litter was reduced by 70% to 90%.

The Netherlands has been debating changing the deposit system, which currently applies to large plastic bottles and some glass bottles, for years.

2022 has been slated at the date for the possible introduction of deposits on drinks cans.