Our circularity results

Our results  

On behalf of producers and importers of packaging, we are responsible for delivering the recycling targets as efficiently and effectively as possible. We present the recycling results from the previous year in our yearly Public Report: Working together on circular packaging. We also publish the monitoring report, which is the technical report addressed to the government with all detailed information. Note: The reports are in Dutch. 

Recycling and circularity targets   

Every year, specific recycling targets are set for each category of material. In 2021, the Dutch government has also introduced so-called circular targets in which the reuse of packaging may be added to the recycling results. The Netherlands is one of the few countries in Europe with circular targets. With this, we are taking an important step forward in the Netherlands towards a circular economy for packaging. 

In 2023, the reuse of materials has been measured for each category of material. The focus is on closed pool systems in commercial use, such as roll containers, crates and pallets, and the glass returnable bottles. This led to great results. The weight of reusable packaging in a pool system in the Netherlands, appears to be almost equal to the weight of single-use packaging. Such systems work well in a business environment because they are closed systems that do not depend on the benevolent consumer. 

Reuse is an important option to make packaging more sustainable. That is why reuse plays a big role in Verpact’s vision for the future. New legislation, such as the Single Use-Plastics directive, also highlights the need for more reusability. In addition to recycling, omitting unnecessary packaging, using less packaging material and reusing packaging is an important impulse towards a circular packaging chain. 

Experience with reusable packaging in businesses shows that uniformity and standardization are key for success. Verpact wants to play an active role now and in the future in enabling large-scale reuse systems for the consumer market. We are exploring what the market needs, such as a collective infrastructure, to set up uniform, efficient and easy reuse systems for packaging, including logistics and cleaning. 

These activities are part of The Plastic Guide, our vision on plastic packaging in the future.

In 2023, 88% of all packaging released on the market was recycled or reused. This is well above the Dutch legal target of 72% and the European target of 65% (in 2025). This makes us the front runners in Europe, together with Belgium. This is thanks to clear agreements and because of the way the packaging recycling chain is increasingly well organised with all parties. The packaging industry takes responsibility, which we as Verpact take on collectively. We still have a long way to go towards completely fossil-free and circular packaging in 2050. We are working on this together with all parties in the chain.  

* In 2022, the Dutch government has introduced so-called circular targets in which the reuse of packaging may be added to the recycling results. 

Explanation of results

Resource efficiency starts with using as little as possible and then reusing as much as possible. Verpact wants to recycle as much packaging as possible. Not just to meet the legal standards, but also because we are working towards circular chains. As the main driving force behind this transition, Verpact brings parties together, makes agreements and stimulates innovation. And that work is bearing fruit: in 2023, most recycling and circular results show an increase compared to 2022, amply achieving the Dutch and European targets. With glass, metal, paper and cardboard, we are already close to being fully circular. And for the chain of collection and recycling of PMD, important steps are being taken to achieve higher quality in collection, recycling, use of recyclate and properly recyclable packaging. The recycling percentage of plastic packaging will also have increased further by 2023.   

The collection rate for plastic beverage bottles increased from 68% in 2022 to 74% in 2023. Compared to other European countries with a similar deposit system, the Netherlands is showing a rapid increase that inspires confidence.

In order to achieve the legal 90% standard for plastic beverage bottles, Verpact and Statiegeld Netherlands, part of Verpact, are working hard to set up additional collection points, to get more juice producers to participate in the deposit system, and to convince consumers of the urgency of handing in their deposit packaging. A major national campaign is also under way, reaching about 95% of consumers each year.

As of July 1, 2023, the Netherlands are the only country in Europe to have a statutory recycling target for beverage cartons. The target was 34% for 2023 and will gradually increase year-over-year, up to 55% in 2030. Although in 2023 many beverage cartons were collected through PMD waste, with a total of 24% collected, the recycling target was not achieved. The main explanation lies in the limited available recycling capacity for Dutch post-separated beverage cartons.  

For the recycling of beverage cartons, Verpact has contractual agreements with several paper mills in Europe. In recent years, the recycling capacity for beverage cartons has been under pressure due to, among other things, the deteriorating economic situation in Europe, e.g. rising energy costs, inflation and declining paper sales. In 2023, Verpact therefore had to find a recycler in Spain who would take the beverage cartons. To be less dependent on this method, we have already asked the market to provide additional recycling capacity. We are also in talks with the licensing authority so that the necessary permits for transportation to the recycler will be granted more quickly. Based on the first months of 2024, it is expected that the legal recycling rate will be achieved in 2024. But it remains a fragile chain: if any recycling capacity is lost, this can already be detrimental to the end result.  

Currently, beverage cartons are reasonably recyclable, according to the KIDV. The biggest challenge is in recycling the polyethylene (plastic) and aluminum portion (collectively called PolyAl). Verpact is committed to working with chain parties to further encourage the collection, recycling and redesign of beverage cartons.