letsrecycle.com

Dutch parliament to vote on RDF tax

An opposition motion is to be put before the Dutch parliament tomorrow (24 June), looking to withdraw the tax on the import of waste for incineration.

Two opposition political parties are set to table the motion in a debate on the country’s waste policies, on the grounds it was based on flawed assumptions on carbon emission savings, and could lead to job losses if plants close down.

The Dutch House of Representatives, where the potential motion will be discussed

The Dutch tax on the import waste for incineration came into effect on 1 January 2020, and was set at around €32 per tonne.

While the initial impact was limited as plant operators absorbed some of the costs (see letsrecycle.com story), many exports of refuse derived duel (RDF) have now found alternative markets.

This was highlighted in the Environment Agency’s rolling figures to April 2021, which showed Sweden had overtaken the Netherlands as the most popular destination for exports of RDF from England for the first time (see letsrecycle.com story).

Tax 

The motion is to be tabled by the opposition right wing SGP and the left wing PVDD parties in parliament tomorrow. 

“We feel the tax is bad for climate, jobs renewable energy and therefore recycling”

Robert Corijin, RDF Industry Group

It is thought it will be difficult for the motion to pass. 

Robert Corijn, chair of the UK’s RDF Industry Group and marketing manager of Dutch operator Attero, said: “It is difficult to predict at this point in time, but they are asking critical questions and will most likely hand in a motion.

“While I am happy there is attention on the topic, we are not helped by just the motion. We need a majority vote which is of course our goal. We feel the tax is bad for climate, jobs, renewable energy and recycling.”

The RDF industry has claimed that when the import of waste is stopped, it is most likely to end up in landfill without pre-treatment in a RDF production centre, where recyclables are extracted, and metals are recycled from bottom ash.

Mr Corijin continued: “While it is difficult to predict, at the same time, if all the new policy developments are taken into account it should be considered.

“In the Circular Economy Action Plan an amendment was adopted (104) which stated EfW should be seen as European capacity, and should be built at European level. It states every nation shouldn’t do its own thing as the Netherlands has done.

“In climate laws it says there should be a focus on combined emissions across the continent and solidarity among nations, hampering access to available waste treatment capacity cross-border does not help Europe solve this issue.”

Share this article with others

Subscribe for free

Subscribe to receive our newsletters and to leave comments.

Back to top

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest waste and recycling news straight to your inbox.

Subscribe