The Netherlands government has delayed the introduction of deposits for beverage cans in the country.

The deposit return scheme had been announced in February 2021 in a bid to increase recycling rates and cut down on street litter.

The system would involve adding 15-cents to the price of each of the two billion cans that are sold annually.

The planned implementation date was the end of 2022, however that has now been pushed back to 2023.

According to the Netherlands government website, this will now come into effect from April 1, 2023.

A post on their website reads: “Do you sell canned beverages? A deposit on cans for water, soft drinks, beer, and other low alcoholic drinks will be introduced. On every can a deposit of at least €0.15 (15 cents) will be charged. Supermarkets will be obliged to take in the cans.

“The manufacturers of such canned beverages will be responsible for the implementation of the deposit system. 

“This measure will come into force on 1 April 2023.”