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Cabinet Wants to Make Agreements with Waste Incinerators on Emissions and Sustainability

Cabinet Wants to Make Agreements with Waste Incinerators on Emissions and Sustainability

The cabinet is starting talks with waste incinerators to promote sustainability. Secretary of State Jansen and Minister Hermans announced this in a letter to the House of Representatives. Waste incinerators play an important role in waste management but also emit significant amounts of CO2 and nitrogen, which are harmful to the environment.

The cabinet aims to assist companies in becoming more sustainable in the Netherlands through tailored agreements. This includes reducing CO2 and nitrogen emissions and promoting a clean environment and a circular economy. € 222 million has been allocated for these agreements in the Multi-Year Climate Fund. Initial discussions will begin with AEB (Amsterdam) and AVR (Rotterdam and Duiven).

Vision on Waste Incineration

The policy vision on waste incineration, which has been sent to the House of Representatives today, will serve as the basis for the talks. This vision is necessary for resource conservation, achieving climate neutrality, and implementing new techniques.

Secretary of State Jansen: “The Netherlands is striving for a circular economy by 2050. This means we use materials efficiently and recycle them. It is a waste to burn resources, so we want to burn less and recycle more. The tailored agreements will help reduce the harmful emissions from waste incinerators.”

Minister Hermans: “We are already collaborating with major industrial emitters to reduce CO2 and nitrogen emissions. It is good that we are now expanding this approach to waste incineration facilities. Sustainability is essential for the future of businesses in the Netherlands.”

Waste Incineration Remains Necessary

Waste incineration remains important for certain waste streams where recycling is not yet possible, such as medical waste. Waste incineration facilities also provide energy to the industry and heat to households. However, the role of waste incineration is expected to decrease in the future due to better recycling and other techniques.

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Source published: 17 January 2025
Source last updated: 17 January 2025
Published on Openrijk: 17 January 2025
Source: Infrastructuur en Waterstaat