Rules for single-use plastic cups and containers

  • The basis
  • 1 May 2022
  • Edited 16 June 2025
  • 2 min
  • Managing and growing
  • Sustainability

Do you sell take-out meals or coffee to go? The rules for single-use plastic cups and containers have changed multiple times over the last few years. From 2027, your customers no longer have to pay for any single-use plastic cups or containers you give them. Read here what the rules are at the moment.

Since 2023, you have not been allowed to give customers free single-use plastic cups or containers anymore. From 2027, this rule will no longer apply (in Dutch). During 2026, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) is preparing for the implementation of the new rules. They will not be doing inspections this year. You will also no longer be fined if you do not charge extra for disposable plastic cups and containers.

However, you will still not be allowed to provide disposable plastic items when customers or employees eat or drink at your business.

Rules for take-out and delivery

So from 2027, you do not have to charge for disposable plastic cups and containers, but you must offer customers a reusable option. That applies to coffee to go, but also take-out or delivery meals. Customers are also allowed to bring a cup or container when they pick up food or drinks. As a business owner, you decide whether to reward that with a discount.

The government would like businesses to use reusable tableware or choose sustainable packaging, such as paper and cardboard. This way, less disposable plastic ends up in the environment.

Alternatives to single-use plastics

Want to fully stop using any disposable plastic containers and cups for delivery and take-out? Then you can choose from a number of alternatives:

  • Offer reusable packaging. Ask for a deposit so that customers return the cup or container to you.
  • Let customers bring their own packaging. Use a window sticker (in Dutch) to let customers know they are welcome to bring their own cup or container.
  • Offer plastic-free disposable packaging. Cups made of natural materials, such as wood or paper with no added plastic. Not sure whether a product is allowed as an alternative to plastic? Check with the Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV-Verpact).

In some situations, using reusable tableware is difficult. At festivals, in museums, or in amusement parks, for example. There you may still offer disposable plastic cups and containers, as long as you collect and recycle them again.

Rules if customers eat or drink at your premises

Does your business serve food or drinks on-site? Then you should not use disposable plastic cups and containers for that. This not only applies if you have a restaurant or café, but also in an office or shop, for example.

There are many alternatives to disposable packaging. For example:

  • Use reusable cups in the office.
  • In a snack bar, replace plastic with ceramic, glass, or metal cups and containers.
  • Use returnable cups with a deposit system so you can reuse them.
  • Let customers bring their own cup or container.

You can put up special posters (in Dutch) to show your customers how you deal with this.

More information

You can get more information on replacing disposable plastic with more sustainable alternatives from the Waste Management Helpdesk (in Dutch) offered by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat).

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