Netherlands to reward the use of European recycled plastic

An incentive for recycled-material demand

Dutch producer responsibility organisation Verpact is preparing a further development of its fee-modulation system for plastic packaging from 2027.

Companies placing packaging on the Dutch market can already benefit from differentiated fees when their packaging meets specific circularity criteria, including recyclability and the use of recycled content.

From 2027, the mechanism will go further.

Verpact has announced that the use of recycled material originating from Europe will receive an additional financial incentive, while higher recycled content can result in greater benefits.

From recycling capacity to market demand

The measure comes at a time when a fundamental problem is becoming increasingly visible across the European recycling industry: having sufficient recycling capacity does not automatically guarantee a market for the material produced.

Through fee modulation, the use of recyclate becomes not only a sustainability decision but can also provide a direct economic advantage for producers and importers.

Verpact is also working on a Circular Plastic Bank, designed to connect supply and demand for circular plastics and provide certification of recyclate origin.

Companies purchasing certified recycled plastic from the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe through the system could qualify for additional fee reductions.

The connection with PPWR

The Dutch approach anticipates a direction that will become increasingly important across the European Union.

PPWR strengthens the role of fee modulation based on packaging characteristics, while the European framework is expected to become increasingly aligned with recyclability performance and circular-design requirements.

For companies, the signal is significant: design for recycling and the use of recycled content are increasingly becoming economic issues as well as compliance requirements.

For Europe’s recycling industry, the shift is equally important.

Circular-economy policies are beginning to focus not only on collecting and recycling more waste, but also on creating effective demand for the secondary raw materials produced.

Source

Verpact, 28 September 2026 / ICIS, 29 September 2026