State Secretary Makes Rules for Disposable Cups and Containers Practical and Clearer

In some places, the rules for disposable cups and containers are problematic, according to conversations with the sector.

State Secretary Aartsen: “For example, in places where many people walk around, such as in an amusement park. You order a cup of coffee there. The entrepreneur can now choose reusable, but disposable cups are also allowed. They must ensure recycling.”

At the same time, it goes well in other places.

State Secretary Aartsen: “In offices, for example, reusable cups have now become almost the standard. This leads to a significant reduction in single-use cups. That is good because it helps us achieve our goal of reducing the use of disposable cups. So we are aiming for reuse.”

“Where it goes well, we leave it as it is. And where necessary, we make adjustments. The key is to find a good balance and give entrepreneurs the space to make choices where needed.”

• For offices, companies, and other organizations: reusable is now the standard. The exception is abolished. Aartsen: “Specifically, this means that if you work in an office, you drink from a reusable cup. You can choose porcelain, glass, hard plastic, or whatever you like. But there will definitely be no tower of disposable cups at the office coffee machine.”
• Places where eating or drinking on-site makes reuse difficult: think of closed events, on-site hospitality, day attractions, (sports) clubs. Here, reuse remains the principle unless the cups and containers are collected and recycled. Aartsen: “In these places, we give entrepreneurs more freedom of choice. Take the Efteling, for example. They can soon choose to give families walking through the park their coffee and lemonade in a disposable cup. They must collect and recycle them.”
• Consumption on the go: entrepreneurs must offer reusable options for those who want them, but disposable remains allowed. In April, it was already announced that the mandatory surcharge for disposable cups and containers will be abolished. Aartsen: “This gives space to fast food restaurants where you pick up food, such as shawarma, to continue using disposable. At the same time, those who want can fill their own cup with coffee at the station before boarding the train.”

State Secretary Aartsen: “We are making the rules smarter and more practical, so entrepreneurs don’t get stuck in paperwork but can do what they are good at: innovate and move forward. We continue to focus strongly on reuse, but without closing the door to recycling when that works better. This keeps the Netherlands moving: we reduce waste, make our living environment cleaner, and give companies the space to invest, grow, and develop new solutions. With this approach, we work towards a strong and clean economy.”

The rules stem from the European Single-Use Plastics directive, which aims to reduce the environmental impact of disposable plastics. The Netherlands has already taken measures to reduce the use of plastic disposable cups and containers.

The new rules will formally come into effect in 2027. In the meantime, enforcement will be adjusted so that the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate can already align with the new situation. Companies for which the rules change will have one year to prepare before enforcement begins.