Collection Systems in Netherlands 🇳🇱
About
The Netherlands uses a color-coded container system with PMD (Orange) for packaging, Blue for paper/cardboard, Green for glass, and separate collection for bio-waste (GFT). Collection methods vary by municipality, with some using nascheiding (post-separation). A deposit return scheme operates for beverage containers.
Collection Streams
PMD (Orange) - Plastic, Metal, Drink Cartons
What goes in:
- Packaging only: household packaging made wholly or partly of plastic, metal and/or drink cartons (e.g., plastic bottles/tubs/trays/films/bags; cans/tins/aluminium trays; drink/yoghurt/sauce cartons)
- Also accepted nationally from 1 Jan 2026: coffee capsules and empty household aerosol cans (e.g., deodorant/hairspray/whipped-cream cans)
What does NOT go in:
- Not packaging: plastic objects (toys, buckets, hangers, garden chairs), metal objects (cutlery, pans)
- Packaging with contents (not emptied)
- E-waste, textiles, food waste, paper/cardboard, residual waste
Notes:
- Empty is key: 'pour/squeeze/scrape empty'; doesn't need to be fully clean
- Collection method varies: some municipalities collect PMD separately, others use nascheiding (post-separation) and ask residents to put PMD in residual bins
Paper & Cardboard (Blue)
What goes in:
- Packaging: cardboard boxes (flattened), paper bags, cartons for dry goods, egg boxes
- Non-packaging: newspapers, magazines, office paper, envelopes (including window envelopes)
What does NOT go in:
- Food-soiled paper/cardboard: greasy pizza boxes, used tissues/napkins/kitchen paper
- Composite/treated paper: wallpaper, baking paper/greaseproof paper, plastic-laminated paper, bubble-lined envelopes
- Drink cartons: milk/yoghurt/juice cartons (go to PMD where collected)
Notes:
- Must be clean and dry
- Small bits like staples/paperclips and envelope windows are typically fine
Glass (Green Container / Bottle Bank)
What goes in:
- Packaging only: glass bottles and jars (all colours) that held drinks/food/cosmetics/medicine (e.g., wine bottles, jam jars, perfume bottles, baby-food jars)
What does NOT go in:
- Not packaging glass / wrong glass: drinking glasses, oven dishes (heat-resistant), crystal; ceramics/porcelain; mirrors and window/flat glass; light bulbs/lamps
Notes:
- Lids/caps: generally allowed to stay on; contents should be emptied but rinsing is usually unnecessary
- Some municipalities ask for colour-separated glass; many accept mixed packaging glass in neighbourhood containers
Sources:
Bio-waste / Organics (GFT)
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: vegetable/fruit scraps; food leftovers (often including cooked food; meat/fish scraps/bones); coffee grounds/filters; tea bags; garden waste (small/fine); flowers and plants
- Collection aid: only special GFT collection bags with Kiemplant-logo or OK compost-logo (where used)
What does NOT go in:
- Packaging of any material (incl. 'compostable' packaging), plastics, diapers/hygiene products, cat litter/dog poop, ashes/cigarette butts, liquids/large quantities of soil/sand
Notes:
- Compostable plastic is a common confusion: NL guidance is that compostable packaging still does NOT belong in GFT; only specific certified GFT liner/collection bags may be allowed
- High-rise variation: some areas still have limited GFT options; in some systems residents with only underground containers may be told to use residual
Residual Waste
What goes in:
- Non-packaging: diapers & other hygiene products; vacuum cleaner bags/dust; cat litter; broken ceramics (cups/plates); miscellaneous non-recyclable items
- Packaging: dirty/greasy packaging that can't be recycled (e.g., contaminated paper/cardboard; packaging with hard-to-remove food residue)
What does NOT go in:
- Recyclables: paper/cardboard, packaging glass, PMD, GFT
- Special waste: batteries, small chemical waste (KCA), e-waste, bulky waste / construction rubble
Notes:
- Big municipal variation: some municipalities use nascheiding (post-separation) and then tell residents to put (some) PMD in residual; even then, paper/cardboard, glass and GFT should still be kept out
Deposit Return Scheme (Statiegeld)
What goes in:
- Return to shop/return point: beverage plastic bottles and cans with deposit should be returned via the deposit system
What does NOT go in:
- Don't treat deposit packaging as 'normal recycling' if you want your deposit back; avoid throwing into street bins (leads to scavenging/litter issues)
Notes:
- Overseen in part by ILT; producer side responsibility is organised via Verpact
- Deposit targets are legally set (e.g., minimum collection performance)
What Gets Collected
Accepted Items
- • Packaging materials (varies by stream)
- • Empty and clean containers
- • Material-specific items
Not Accepted
- • Non-packaging items
- • Contaminated materials
- • Hazardous containers with contents
Regional Variations
Collection systems in Netherlands may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Important Notes
Collection methods vary significantly by municipality—some use nascheiding (post-separation), others use separate PMD collection
Compostable packaging does NOT belong in GFT—only specific certified GFT collection bags may be allowed
The deposit return scheme (Statiegeld) is separate from municipal collection—return eligible containers for a refund
Coffee capsules and empty household aerosol cans are accepted in PMD from 1 Jan 2026
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.