Act like a local. Hand it in!

Empty bottles and cans have a deposit on them. That money is yours — don't throw it away.

Find a drop-off point

If you have empty bottles or cans, please don't throw them in the bin. In the Netherlands, a deposit called statiegeld is included in the price, meaning you've already paid for the recycling. You can get that money back, or pass it on to someone else. Either way, please keep it out of the general waste.

What is statiegeld? 

Statiegeld is a deposit system built into the price of drinks in plastic bottles and aluminium cans. When you buy a drink, you've already paid the deposit. When the empty container is returned, that deposit comes back to you, or to whoever hands it in. It's one of the most effective ways the Netherlands keeps its streets and waterways clean. By handing in your empties, you help.

Please help keep our city clean. Here's what you can do:

• Return them at any supermarket 

Look for a statiegeldautomaat, a reverse vending machine, near the entrance of most supermarkets. Insert your bottles and cans, and you'll receive a voucher you can redeem at the till or donate to charity.

• Use a separate compartment bin (Amsterdam only) 

Some street bins in Amsterdam have a dedicated compartment for deposit bottles and cans. Look for the separate opening on the side of the bin. Someone else can collect them and receive the deposit — so your empties don't go to waste. 

* The deposit will be collected by whoever hands them in at a supermarket.

• Use a dedicated street collection point

Many cities have special collection bins and units for deposit containers placed along busy streets. They are clearly marked and easy to spot. Leave your empties there, they will be collected and properly recycled. 

* The deposit may be collected by others who hand them in at a supermarket.

Thanks in advance, locals truly appreciate it

Your small action makes a real difference for the cleanliness of our streets, parks, and waterways.