Since July 3, 2021, the Single Use Plastics directive has been in effect. This directive aims to encourage businesses to develop sustainable alternatives to plastic products and packaging that are used only once. In 2021, a ban was already implemented on items such as plastic plates, straws, and stirrers. The SUP raise and packaging waste management fee are also part of the directive and have been in effect since January 2023. In this blog, you can read all about these new measures and their implications for you as a customer.
SUP raise
The SUP surcharge applies to single-use food packaging made partly or entirely of plastic. This surcharge has been introduced to reduce disposable plastics in litter and make the Netherlands cleaner. This also applies to cardboard disposables that have a thin (bio) plastic coating. As a producer or importer, we have to pay a contribution for all SUP products we bring to the Dutch market. Unfortunately, we are obliged to pass on these costs to our customers. More information about the new rates can be found here.
The Waste Management Contribution for Packaging
When we talk about packaging, it (according to Afvalfonds verpakkingen, 2022) refers to all products made of any material that can be used to protect, transport, and deliver other products, from raw materials to finished products and from the producer to the user or consumer.
The Waste Management Contribution for Packaging has different rates depending on the type of material. The rate is determined by the costs of collecting, separating, and recycling the specific material. So the more sustainable the packaging of the product, the lower the contribution! These possible additional costs can make some products more expensive. We will explain this in more detail and tell you how high these additional costs are.
Plastic-free: better for the environment and your wallet
Since January 2023, it has become more expensive to buy plastic (containing) disposables. For example, in the Netherlands, you now pay an extra €2.30 for every 1,000 snack boxes (with plastic coating). In addition, there may be additional costs for the waste management contribution. Fortunately, there are plenty of plastic-free alternatives on the market, such as our plastic-free disposables. Not only is this better for nature, it's also better for your wallet.
At TakeAware, we offer a wide range of products that contribute to a circular economy, where waste gets a second life. Our range includes disposables made from various sustainable materials, such as wood, sugarcane, and bamboo. Curious about our selection? Take a look at our snack boxes, sauce cups, and paper bags. Recently, we have also added reusable products that can be used over and over again.
In addition to our wide range of disposables with a fixed color or print, it is also possible to have products printed with your own logo or design. Please note that customers who ask us to produce (SUP) disposables with their logo or corporate identity are considered producers/importers themselves and are therefore responsible for the declarations.