LAPP Supports Enforcement Request to the ILT
This week, the cooperation between the Zwerfinator and Leiden University was in the news because of loose labels on deposit bottles. NOS news reported that the Zwerfinator submitted an enforcement request to the Inspectorate. The Leiden Advocacy Project on Plastic (LAPP) is supporting litter waste expert Dirk Groot, better known as the Zwerfinator, in submitting an enforcement request to the Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). The Zwerfinator requests ILT to enforce labels on deposit bottles that come off too quickly and to hold beverage producers accountable for this.
Report on deposit bottles
The Zwerfinator published a report on 11 February 2025 on its research on beverage containers and cups in litter. This research shows that the number of cans and bottles with a deposit in litter has decreased by 80% since 2020. The cans and plastic bottles that can still be found in litter often cannot be handed in because they are too damaged or the label on the packaging has come off.
Loose labels
According to the law, the deposit indication must be affixed ‘clearly and indelibly’ on the packaging. Beverage manufacturers often use labels, but without such a label, a beverage container cannot be confiscated and consumers will not get the deposit back. A few brands stand out: the Zwerfinator finds many bottles of Spa, Coca Cola and Chaudfontaine.
Enforcement request to ILT
In cooperation with LAPP, the Zwerfinator has submitted an enforcement request to the ILT to take action against three suppliers who, based on research by the Zwerfinator, supply more than 80% of plastic bottles without labels in litter. The ILT will take a decision on the matter before the summer.