Partly due to the introduction of an eco-tax on disposable plastic cups in Groningen, much less plastic was left on the streets after King’s Night and King’s Day than usual.
There were still plenty of plastic cups in front of the stage at the Vismarkt. But a thick layer of disposable cups, which employees of the Environmental Department previously found in the city center after a night of partying, was no longer the case.
How much less plastic was left, and whether the reduction was only due to the introduction of the new tax, a spokesperson for the municipality did not dare to say on Thursday. It was clear that the cleanup crews found ‘significantly less plastic’ on the street.
Research must show to what extent the disappearance of the mountain of plastic has to do with the ecotax, a new tax that should reduce the amount of waste at events. Possibly the cold (it was freezing 3 degrees on King’s Night) also considerably limited the number of drinks and the number of visitors. Special one crowd management measures, which the organization had prepared for large crowds, were not necessary.
1 euro
Because of the eco tax, visitors had to pay 1 euro for the first time for using a plastic cup. When they handed in they received another cup ‘free’. Catering companies must collect the used cups separately and have them processed. The system will come into effect nationally next year.
Organizers may also use reusable hard plastic cups to reduce waste. These are handed in en masse, such as at Noorderzon. In the city center, catering entrepreneurs and festival caterers opted for soft cups made of high-quality material that is easily recyclable.