Amsterdam exploring banning single-use packaging ban

Amsterdam is considering banning single-use packaging, including coffee cups, fast-food containers and other single-use plastics that it says make up 30% of the city’s litter.

“Litter is a persistent problem; it is a symptom of a ‘throwaway society’ that pollutes our beautiful city and costs millions every year,” said Amsterdam executive Lian Heinhuis, who is responsible for waste and sanitation, in a statement.

“Yet the solution is within reach: putting an end to the throwaway culture.”

To that end, the city has commissioned a study into what it can legally do to tackle the problem. According to CircuLaw, which provides legal information on circular transitions, such a ban could be implemented, but only after less restrictive measures have proven not to work.

A ban also works best alongside other measures, such as a reliable supply of reusable packaging and a well-established return system.

The city says it will work with business owners and residents and also look at how other cities are managing the problem, including Copenhagen and Lisbon, the latter of which has already implemented a single-use packaging ban.

“Single-use packaging is a major problem,” the city said. “The plastics used in these items take hundreds of years to decompose – if they ever do at all. They pollute the soil and groundwater for a very long time, despite being used for an average of only about seven minutes.”