On April 1, 2023, deposit money will officially start in the Netherlands. This means there will be a small extra fee for plastic bottles and cans. You will get that sum refunded when you return your containers. This is an important step to reduce waste. You could read all this in the previous blog post, but how do you best handle such a change? We give you five tips!

Make use of the collection points

Several collection points will be set up where you can drop off your empty bottles and cans. Please take advantage of these! By handing in your empty bottles and cans, you contribute to reducing the amount of plastic waste in the environment. Moreover, you will get the deposit amount back, so you can earn some money from it as well.

Sort your waste

Sorting trash is always important, but with the introduction of deposits, it becomes even more important to do it properly. Make sure you keep your empty bottles and cans separate from other trash so you can easily return them to a collection point. It is also good to know that not all bottles and cans are covered by the deposit system, so it is helpful to know which ones are and which are not.

Bring your own water bottle

Another way to contribute to reducing plastic waste is by using a reusable water bottle. This eliminates the need to buy disposable bottles and helps reduce plastic waste. Moreover, there are more and more public places where you can fill your own drinking bottle with tap water.

Buy consciously

As consumers, we have an influence on the products we buy and therefore on the amount of waste we produce. By consciously choosing products with less or no packaging, or products that can be recycled, we can help reduce our waste production.

Note the deposit symbols

Most bottles and cans sold in the Netherlands have a deposit symbol. This is a small indication on the label or packaging indicating whether there is a deposit on the product. Pay close attention to these symbols so you can be sure you are turning in the right bottles and cans.