Nedvang was founded in 2005 by the Dutch producers and importers of packaged products or packaging materials, distributors and trade organisations. Since December 18th, 2007, Nedvang is the central organisation to support producers and importers of packaged products to meet their individual goals stated in the Packaging Decree.
From January 1st, 2008, the companies mentioned above have to pay a packaging tax. In total, € 115 million will be reserved for packaging reduction policy, remuneration of 443 Dutch municipalities who collect household packaging waste and to finance organisation. For the allocation of the total reserved budget, a waste fund will be set up.
Nedvang, a not-for-profit organisation, acts as mediator between producers, importers and distributors and waste disposal and waste processing/recycling companies, municipalities and the national government. Together with official bodies, Nedvang has designed the infrastructure for the collection of both household and commercial waste in the Netherlands.
Additionally, Nedvang evaluates the packaging waste chain, computes the recycling percentages and advises the waste fund about the allocation of the total budget.
Furthermore, Nedvang has set up the infrastructure for the collection of household plastic packaging waste. Under the “Plastic Heroes” campaign, Nedvang owns the waste collected by municipalities. For the recycling of the waste, Nedvang negotiates with renowned recycling companies to receive a fair price. The total turnover is transferred to the waste fund.
There are several variants for the collection of packaging waste from households:
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Glass: all glass packaging is collected, colour-sorted, in containers.
(both overground and underground, about 1 container per 1000 inhabitants) and municipal waste parks.
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Paper/cardboard: all paper and cardboard waste is collected door-to-door with a frequency of 1 time per month.
Additionally, inhabitants can bring their waste to paper/cardboard containers (the number of containers per 1000 inhabitants differs greatly from rural to densely populated areas).
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Plastic: as the system is rather new, municipalities have a choice to collect either plastic bottles and flasks or additionally all other plastic packaging waste. Also, municipalities may choose to collect door-to-door (frequency is decided upon individually) or to have inhabitants bring their plastic waste to large containers (both overground and underground).
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Wood and tin: separation from other waste at waste processing plants.
Most commercial waste is collected door-to-door by both privatised and municipal companies. The only exceptions are wood and tin. These materials are collected by separation from other waste at waste processing plants.
Annually, Nedvang reports to the waste fund and a special committee, organised by the Dutch Environment Ministry, the organised municipalities and producers and importers of packaged products.
