Drinks can be bought in many supermarkets in different packaging types and sizes in the Netherlands. There are cans, bottles or boxes available. Juices, wines and dairy products are also offered in composite packaging. In the private purchase, boxes are used almost exclusively only in beer sales.

Deposit is called in Dutch statiegeld. The case or bottle deposit will be added to the product price unless otherwise stated. Empties are usually read in via reverse vending machines. There is virtually no manual empties acceptance. Disposable packaging can be removed via glass containers or plastic recycling. There is no can deposit as in Germany currently. Cans can - depending on the municipality - be disposed of in a recycling container.

Although there is a clear deposit rule from 2003, this has not been actively implemented. The economy, however, is based on these guidelines.

For years a more explicit introduction of a large deposit system in Dutch politics has been discussed. The last attempts for a transfer of deposit to small plastic bottles took place in the spring of 2019.

Whether a bottle is a returnable bottle or not is written on the label. In the case of a deposit bottle, there is given "Statiegeld", "Statiegeldfles" or even the deposit amount. With the so-called mono bottles and also the small deposit-free PET bottles, clear recycling symbols show that the bottle in question should be disposed of in glass containers, for example. Currently, the following one-way deposit and reimbursement deposit are levied:

Beer crate

• Half beer crate (12 bottles) without bottles: 0,75 € deposit
• Half beer crate (12 bottles) with bottles: 1,95 € deposit
• Beer crate without bottles: 1,50 € deposit
• Beer crate with 24 bottles (0,30 L): 3,90 € deposit
• Beer crate with 18 bottles (0,50 L): 4,90 € deposit

Beer bottles (always check the labels)

• Bottles from 0,25 L to 0,50 L: 0,10 € deposit
• Bügelflaschen: 0,20 € deposit
• Bottles less than 0,25 L: Free of deposit
• Bottles over 0,50 L: Free of deposit

Mono bottles

Monos are disposable and non-refundable. The mono bottles often have a screw cap. Mono bottles are available in sizes from 0.15 L to 0.50 L. Please dispose of these bottles in a glass container.

Beverage cans

There is currently no deposit on drink cans in the Netherlands. Cans can be disposed of in many communities through the recycling system.

PET bottles (coke, water, ...)

• Bottles from 1 L: 0,25 € deposit
• Bottles under 1 L: Free of deposit

Wine bottles

Wine bottles are deposit free in the Netherlands. Empty wine bottles should be recycled through glass containers.

Juice

There is currently no deposit on juice packaging.

Milk

Milk packaging have no deposit. Empty milk packaging - either plastic or beverage cartons made from multi-layer packaging materials - can be disposed of via the recycling container.

Summary

In Holland, there is currently only a deposit on some types of beer bottles, beer crates, and PET bottles. The size and type of packaging play a role here. There is no can deposit. There are plans to introduce a clearer and broader deposit system so that even small bottles and cans will be given a one-way or reusable deposit in the future.

Please note that the deposit can differ. This is especially true for speciality beers. Always check the label and/or ask the seller.

As of: November 2019