Ban on single-use plastics
A new law banning Single-Use Plastic (SUP) products came into effect in The Netherlands.
Single-use packaging containing plastics is prohibited for on-site consumption in the Netherlands but is still permitted for takeaway business, which must enable reusable containers as an alternative to SUP.
Consequently, offices, schools, restaurants, events, and sports clubs are now mandated to serve all food and drinks in reusable tableware when consumed within their premises. This demands genuine commitment from any horeca business.
Check out what you can expect below, or take our readiness test to determine your preparedness for these regulations.
Interested in learning more about how to comply with the upcoming laws?
Browse our services to see how we can support your organization in achieving your circularity targets.
When: as of January 2024
What: on-site consumption
meal/snack containers & drink cups
Where: “closed environments” such as office canteens/restaurants, office cafes/espresso bars,pantries/coffee corners & food lockers, closed events, sports clubs
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Offer on-site consumption in:
1. Reusable containers and demonstrate their reuse, or
2. Disposables free from any type of plastic (neither bio-based nor fossil-based), or
3. Single-Use Plastics (SUP) made of PET + report to ILT + demonstrate that 75% is recycled into food-safe packaging (90% by 2027), or
4. Single-use packaging made of paper/cardboard containing less than 5% plastic. Report your packaging to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) and ensure that 75% is collected, all of which is recycled, or
*Offering juices and smoothies? Ensure that bottles have lids attached and are collected for recycling after consumption.
When: as of July 2023
What: takeaway consumption (“"to go”)
meal/snack containers & drink cups
Where: cafes, espresso bars, juice bars, supermarkets & more
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Offer takeaway in:
1. Reusable containers and demonstrate their reuse by having them returned, or
2. Disposables free from any type of plastic (neither bio-based nor fossil-based), or
3. Charge an extra fee for Single-Use Plastics (SUP) (optional) +accept clients' own containers or offer returnable containers.
*Offering juices and smoothies? Ensure that bottles have lids attached and are collected for recycling after consumption.
When: as of July 2021
What: single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and EPS & XPS cups/meal containers=not allowed
takeaway & on-site consumption
Where: all environments (closed & open)