The cabinet wants more municipalities to separate organic waste from other rubbish. Although this is already mandatory, Climate Minister Stientje van Veldhoven (D66) wants to remove legal exemptions from the requirement. In a letter to the House of Representatives, she said the change is part of plans to make waste collection more consistent across the Netherlands.
Municipalities can mix organic waste with other waste if separation is technically impossible or too expensive.
“Abolishing this ground for exemption can lead to greater clarity for residents and result in more separated bio-waste,” Van Veldhoven wrote.
She said separated organic waste can provide valuable substances such as phosphate. It can also be used to produce green gas.
The minister is also considering introducing a mandatory national rate for residual waste. However, she wants to do this only after the new organic waste measure has taken effect. She also wants clearer rules on what should be placed in plastic waste bins.
Schools
Waste separation may also become mandatory in schools. Van Veldhoven hopes this will make the different waste bins used in schools more similar to those people have at home.
She also wants companies to separate different types of waste more effectively, although she has not yet explained exactly how this would work.
“On average, 80 per cent of residual waste still consists of recyclable materials,” Van Veldhoven wrote.
Alongside better waste separation, she wants to improve waste sorting. Better sorting will ensure more recyclable materials are reused.
The cabinet will develop the plans further in the coming months.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
