Single Use Plastics Directive tips & links

Currently, questions about the Single Use Plastics (SUP) directive come up regularly, as from July 2023 consumers will have to pay a surcharge for single-use molded food containers and drinking cups compared to the packaged product. In the case of products prepared/filled on-site, a reusable alternative must also be offered to consumers. These are measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

Since January 2023, producers must pay a contribution to the Packaging Waste Fund to reimburse public area managers for the cost of cleaning up litter. This is called Extended Producer Responsibility (UPV litter).

What is included in the definition and what are guideline amounts and how they should be determined requires attention. Many companies want to know if the measures apply to them, and then what, if any, this means. Therefore, Roland ten Klooster, CPNL program manager for design has created a short overview with a number of links to sources where the SUP guideline is explained. Also a link to a document with decision trees, definitions and examples.

For an overview of measures:

https://ondernemersplein.kvk.nl/nieuwe-regels-voor-plastic-wegwerpbekers-en-bakjes/ (Chamber of Commerce)

Explained by industry:

https://minderwegwerpplastic.nl/#branches (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management)

In order to make proper trade-offs, a trade-off framework has been created. This document contains decision trees, definitions and examples for food packaging, pouches and wrappers, drinking cups and beverage containers. The document is called: Consideration Framework for Regulation of Single-Use Plastic Products. Guideline amounts for surcharge are included. The document can be found at this link: https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/ronl-6f81592e08e011e8ea3739a9244fcaf6bded777d/pdf (a publication of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management). It contains many decision trees, it is important to go through the documents carefully, the details are important. And in doing so look at these questions (also from the Assessment Framework):

Packaging of prepackaged food is covered by the Regulations if the check questions below can be answered yes:

• Question 1: Is the product suitable for immediate consumption?
• Question 2: Is the product typically consumed from the package?
• Question 3: Is it ready for consumption without further preparation?
• Question 4: Does the package contain less than 2 servings (based on portion size list)