Two stores have opened in the Netherlands for consumers to return their plastic bottles and cans to receive statiegeld (deposit money). The statiegeld return stores can be found in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam get statiegeld stores
The first statiegeld return store opened in Rotterdam on May 9, followed by one in Amsterdam on May 14. Statiegeld Nederland has launched the stores as a way “to make it easier for consumers to return their deposit packaging and to reduce the crowds at the vending machines in the supermarket”.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam were chosen as the locations for the stores, as there is a dire need for collection points in these cities. Consumers returning their plastic bottles and cans at stores can receive their statiegeld in cash, alongside transfers via the Tikkie app. The stores also have bulk machines where you can return more than 100 bottles and cans at the same time.
“In an ideal world, consumers would be able to return their bottles and cans wherever they bought them, but that is simply not the case yet,” Statiegeld director Jeroen Hillen said in a press release. “There is no legal obligation for shops to take back deposit packaging. That is why we are now taking the lead ourselves. We are proud to open our return shops.”
Large number of statiegeld deposits not returned
According to Statiegeld Nederland, 84 percent of cans and 77 percent of plastic bottles are returned for recycling. While this reaches the goal of Verpact - the organisation responsible for making sure packaging is collected and recycled - the aim is to make it as easy as possible for residents to continue recycling with the deposit system.
To do this, bulk statiegeld deposit machines have been installed and now two stores have been opened. Earlier this year, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate pushed for Verpact to increase the statiegeld amount by 5 cents to encourage the return of the bottles and cans. It was revealed that in 2022 and 2023, 133 million euros’ worth of statiegeld deposits were not returned, so whether the additions will be enough is yet to be seen.