The Dutch Consumers’ Association has strongly opposed the introduction of a deposit lottery. The plan comes from State Secretary Thiery Aartsen (VVD) and deposit foundation Verpact. They want to increase bottle and can returns without raising the deposit amount.
Last week, Aartsen announced that the planned deposit increase will not go ahead. Instead, he wants to motivate people by adding a chance to win prizes when they return cans and bottles. This would work through a special deposit lottery.
Verpact already submitted an improved plan. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) approved it. But the proposal still needs input from the Dutch Gambling Authority, which earlier granted a license to a similar initiative named MrRaffle.
A bottle, a can… and a chance to win big?
The Consumers’ Association agrees with most steps to increase returns. But it sees serious risks in linking recycling with a game of chance. It says that this would introduce gambling to supermarkets in a new and unnecessary form.
Verpact also wants to launch a mobile app to support the lottery and improve communication. The Consumers’ Association objects to this plan too. It believes that risky features and apps are not the answer.
Instead, the organization wants simple and safe solutions. It calls on Verpact to focus on more return points and better communication without adding gambling or digital distractions.
“There’s still too much money being lost when people don’t return their bottles and cans,” the association said. “A return bonus would be a faster and safer way to raise the return rate.”