Discussions between businesses and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management regarding the expansion of the deposit return law have been ongoing, yet details remain undisclosed in documents obtained via a Freedom of Information request, according to NOS. Experts highlight visible lobbying efforts despite the lack of transparency.
In 2019, municipalities and civil organizations urged the ministry to mandate retailers to accept returnable bottles and cans, arguing the system’s inefficiency without such a requirement. This obligation was omitted from legislation, leaving consumers with difficulties in returning items.
Businesses previously opposed this mandate, but producers and supermarkets now seem more amenable. The ministry is investigating and will release findings this spring.
Politicologist Marcel Hanegraaff noted the business sector’s resilience in long-term lobbying, asserting that deposit return issues attract media but not public attention. Caelesta Braun, an expert in public governance, explained that visible reactions to legislative proposals are just the tip of the iceberg, with significant influence occurring earlier in the process.
The complexity of lobbying and openness is further complicated by a transparency paradox, where stricter transparency measures lead to circumvention efforts. Braun emphasized the political choice of prioritizing business interests while acknowledging the imbalance of influence compared to NGOs and local governments.
Source: NOS