The collection of refrigerators and other electrical appliances can be improved. We have already written about our plan to accomplish this. See the news item on the Urgenda website or read the measure. (you will find the English text here on January 8th). On 20 December 2019 the Dutch Supreme Court announced that it would be upholding the Urgenda ruling and that the state would be obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ruling means that by the end of 2020, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by at least 25% compared to 1990 levels. Read the item here: NOS.
Producers opt for circular. Introduction 'deposit' on old appliances
In the Netherlands, the collection and treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has long involved the concept of extended producer responsibility. As was the case in 2018, the collective collection target will not be achieved in 2019. Consequently, producers of fridges and freezers are now teaming up to improve the collection of old appliances. Weee Nederland is the management organisation that uses a general binding declaration to submit the plan to the government on behalf of producers. The intention is that the Recycling Fee that consumers pay when purchasing a new appliance will become visible again and that a return premium will be paid when the old appliance is returned, which will encourage consumers to dispose of their old appliances through the correct channel. Afvalgids features an article (in Dutch) on this, which you can read here.
