News report | 19-12-2025 | 16:00

The Public Prosecution Service imposes a penalty order of one and a half million euros on Heineken Netherlands B.V. for violating the rules regarding the introduction of deposit on cans. The brewer filled more than 7.2 million beer cans without deposit between April 1 and April 11, 2023 – after deposit on cans became mandatory. Heineken then put these cans on the market.

Reducing litter: new regulations

Litter can harm the health of people and animals. To reduce litter, deposit on cans was introduced. The legislator requires companies to charge deposit on cans from December 31, 2022. The ILT repeatedly warned can producers (including Heineken) from September 2022 about the upcoming legal obligation. The court postponed the legally prescribed implementation date to April 1, 2023 due to practical challenges around the collection process.

Facts

The criminal investigation started following a report by Recycling Network Benelux. Investigation by the Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT-IOD) shows that Heineken continued filling cans without deposit between April 1 and April 11, 2023. The company then put these filled cans on the market. Cans without deposit filled before April 1, 2023 could still be sold after April 1, 2023 under the ILTs tolerance policy. However, the tolerance policy did not allow filling empty non-deposit cans after April 1, 2023. The brewer filled more than 7.2 million beer cans without deposit between April 1 and April 11, 2023.  

Fine amount

The Public Prosecution Service states that Heineken failed in its duty. Heineken indicated that the tolerance policy was unintentionally misinterpreted and that assumptions about it should have been better tested. Heineken voluntarily announced a donation of half a million euros to a charity that helps accelerate the deposit system. Heineken is an important producer in the Netherlands and has a role model function. European environmental legislation requires that the imposed sanction be effective, proportionate, and deterrent. The fine of one and a half million euros, in the eyes of the Public Prosecution Service, reflects the nature and seriousness of the offense.