Legal Basis
The most recent national law, based on the European Directive 94/62/EC and the revised Packaging Directive 2004/12/EC has been signed on March 24th, 2005. This law will be referred to as the Packaging Decree. The Packaging Decree defines that Dutch producers and importers of packaged products are responsible for the separate collection and recycling of packaging waste, but also for waste prevention. At least 65% of the packaging waste has to be recycled, at least 70% has to be recovered.
Furthermore, individual recycling percentages per material have been defined:
- glass: 90%
- paper/cardboard: 75%
- metals: 85%
- wood: 25%
According to the Decree, producers and importers of packaged products had the choice to either achieve the targets on an individual basis or to join a collective organisation (of which Nedvang was the largest).
On July 27th, 2007, a Supplementary Agreement was undersigned by Environment Ministry, the organised municipalities and producers and importers of packaged products. Main element in this agreement, which has come into power as of January 1st, 2008, is the introduction of a packaging tax. From 2008, companies that bring more than 15.000 kg of packaging onto the Dutch market have to pay this tax. By funding a waste fund, the total amount of € 115 million will be spent to remunerate waste collectors, sorters and recyclers for their efforts, to prevent the creation of packaging waste and the organisation of the infrastructure. The project will be in effect until 2012, Nedvang will be the central organisation on behalf of all producers and importers of packaged goods in the Netherlands.
The individual material recycling percentages have not been changed. The total recovery percentage has been adapted to 75% in 2010.