Starting on the 1st of July, measures to curb single-use plastic will come into effect.
Cups and containers will no longer be provided free of charge in food outlets. It is a transitional measure, by January 1st 2024 these items would be banned, at least for on-site consumption. However, this measure was postponed, and an additional fee was implemented. The measures stem from the European Single Use Plastics Directive, which has been in force since 2021. The exact measures are listed
here (in Dutch). The aim is to reduce litter and encourage re-use.
Surcharge will soon differ per entrepreneur
The measure applies to food and drinks that can be eaten or drunk directly from the packaging. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
recommends (in Dutch) guidelines for entrepreneurs on additional charges of that packaging; for example, 25 cents for a drinking cup. That amount should be shown separately on the receipt. However, the entrepreneur does not have to remit it and basically earns from his packaging from now on.
At the same time, the entrepreneur must offer alternatives. For example, using containers and cups with a deposit or alternative packaging without plastic. Each company can decide individually. But here is the dilemma: the higher the surcharge the more earnings, but the greater the chance that the consumers will go to the competitor who charges less.
Supermarkets can still go ahead with plastic
On-site consumption in cups or containers made of plastic – or material incorporating plastic – will be banned. However, this does not apply to products in supermarkets. After all, the purchased food is generally not consumed there – think plastic-wrapped meal salads. Supermarkets can thus continue to extensively use single-use packaging for food and drink. If they keep the additional price low, consumers will hardly notice the difference.
Reuse must become the norm
Reuse must become the norm if we want to get rid of the single-use plastic that dominates the world and to which we have become addicted. The July 1st measures only make a negligible contribution to that goal. Steps are certainly being taken in the right direction. For instance, McDonald’s is introducing the reusable deposit cup and french fries joints are switching to plastic-free trays or bags. Supermarkets, in turn, are further expanding refill offerings. However, there could be many more incentives for consumers to switch to reusable packaging.
Plastic Soup Foundation thinks pricing disposable plastic items is a good step. In addition, reuse should be facilitated and promoted much more, for instance by not restricting customers who want to use their own cup or container. After all, the ultimate goal is to completely move away from disposable plastic.
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