The “Waste Free Oceans” (WFO) initiative (www.wastefreeoceans.eu) has welcomed the decision by the Dutch authorities to reject the efforts of packers and fillers to abolish the country’s deposit scheme for larger PET bottles. In fact, the government has not only upheld the existing scheme but introduced a reverse vending premium for several other products, which is expected to increase the mandatory recycling content for bottles.

The decision paves the way for WFO’s previously advised minimum recycling content of 80% rPET for countries where deposit schemes are in place. In addition, it will reduce the amount of land-based litter, frequently found near major motorways, and which often finds its way into the oceans.

WFO is an initiative of European Plastics Converters (EuPC, Brussels / Belgium; www.eupc.org) aimed at reducing marine litter. It was first introduced in 2011 (see Plasteurope.com of 21.02.2011).