Paper and cardboard waste in the Netherlands
Packforward - Packaging waste in The Netherlands - paper and cardboard
In addition to the regulation and packaging waste set out in the Packing Decree 2014 and the Framework Agreement for Packaging 2013-2022, the Association of Dutch municipalities (VNG) together with Papier Recycling Nederland (PRN) have in 2015 agreed on a new Papervezelconvenant. This document specifies that PRN has to ensure that collected paper and cardboard waste offered by municipalities is taken up by the recycling industry even if market prices are low. For more details check out the website of PRN.
Collection
Who is responsible for paper and cardboard packaging waste collection?
The collection and financing of paper and carton is the responsibility of the municipalities in the Netherlands. They engage paper waste companies (oudpapierondernemingen) to collect and/or collect paper waste in their own catchment area.
How is paper and cardboard packaging waste collected?
In the Netherlands paper waste is source separated and discarded of via containers or mini containers. Details on what is allowed in the paper container can be found here.
Pay as You Throw
The number of municipalities in the Netherlands that use a Pay as You Throw (PAYT) System is rising. The way in which systems are implemented differs considerably between municipalities. You can find an overview of the municipalities that have implemented a PAYT system and their different tariffs here.
Sorting
Material Specifications
Paper and cardboard offered for recycling is classified based on the NEN-EN 643 norm. Details on the norm can be found in this guide published by the Confederation of European Paper Industries.
Recycling
Design for recycling
The Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging has developed guidelines to improve the sustainability of paper and cardboard packaging designs, you can access them here.
The waste stage
The use of packaging materials is subject of European legislation. On 20 December 1994, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union introduced the Directive 94/62/EG (hereinafter: Directive) for packaging materials and packaging waste. This Directive was subsequently revised on 22 May 2018. The goal of this Directive is to limit the use of packaging materials and stimulate recycling, reuse and other useful applications for packaging waste.
All EU Member States are required to implement the Directive in their own national legislation. Every Member State has its own way of doing so. Packforward started to give an overview of the way the different Member States implemented the Directive, but the overview is not completed yet. You can find more information for the Netherlands, information about other countries will follow soon.
Despite the efforts made with regard to collecting, sorting and recycling packaging waste, new raw materials will have to flow into the packaging chain in order to safeguard the quality of the material and compensate for the loss of material in the chain. For a growing number of the new raw materials, steps are being taken towards a circular economy, e.g. by making use of biobased materials.