State Secretary Jansen announced late last year that new rules
on single-use plastics will take effect from 1 January 2026. Since
then, there has been much debate in The Hague: Is a contribution
for single-use plastics desirable? If so, how high should that
contribution be? And will there be a European ban on wet wipes?
Since 1 July 2023, a surcharge has applied to single-use
plastics for on-the-go consumption. The surcharge is mandatory for
cups and food packaging made entirely or partially of plastic.
Thus, a SUP charge is due for a fresh smoothie in a plastic cup, as
well as for coffee to-go served in a cardboard cup with a thin
plastic lining.
The motion to exempt paper/cardboard cups containing up to 5%
plastic from the SUP levy was rejected by the State Secretary, due
to the European reduction targets to which the Netherlands is
committed. Under the SUP Directive, the use of disposable plastic
cups and containers must be reduced by 40% by 2026 compared
