ANP Productions | Source: ANP
The Hague
The House of Representatives wants to get rid of the tax on single-use plastic packaging as quickly as possible. The measure drives up costs for consumers without forcing producers to become more sustainable, and thus undermines support for climate measures, says SP MP Jimmy Dijk. He got a majority behind him.
Since July 1, retailers and catering entrepreneurs are no longer allowed to offer their products in free plastic disposable containers or cups. Customers must bring their own container or cup, or otherwise pay an additional contribution.
In addition to the SP, the left-wing opposition parties BIJ1 and DENK also want to scrap the tax, as does almost the entire right-wing opposition. But the ruling party VVD has also turned against the plastic tax.
Outgoing Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate) had spoken out against Dijk’s proposal during the discussion of her department’s budget. She pointed out that the plastic tax is intended to reduce the large amount of plastic waste. There are indeed reusable alternatives, the minister argued.