Dutch Parliament Debates Higher Waste Taxes and CO₂ Levy

Key Takeaways

• Dutch MPs debated higher waste taxes and a steeper CO₂ levy in the Tax Plan 2027 on 12 October.
• BBB and CDA warned of rising costs for households and SMEs and of waste leaking abroad.
• D66 said the levy could jeopardise incinerators’ role in the Aramis North Sea CO₂ storage project.
• Waste association VA warns that the extra charges will rise to around €498 million a year by 2035.
• The VA urges MPs to drop the increase; the debate resumes on 27 October.

Members of the Dutch House of Representatives have raised concerns about the higher CO₂ levy and waste tax. During the legislative consultation on the Tax Plan 2027 on 12 October, several parliamentary groups discussed the consequences for citizens and businesses, the risk of waste exports and investments in recycling and carbon capture, Dutch waste management association VA announced. The debate continues on 27 October.

Henk Vermeer of the right-wing conservative party BBB stressed that the higher charges will ultimately also affect households and entrepreneurs. “Waste treatment is a basic service,” he said. His parliamentary group expressed concern about rising bills for citizens and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Inge van Dijk of the christian democratic party CDA pointed to signals from the sector that waste threatens to leak abroad and that the scope for investment in CO₂ storage is coming under pressure. She asked: “Is the fiscal playing field for these parties sufficiently in order with the adjustment that has been made?”

Concerns Over Aramis CO₂ Storage

Henk-Jan Oosterhuis of the liberal party D66 addressed concerns that the higher CO₂ levy puts pressure on the participation of waste incinerators in CO₂ storage via Aramis, the project to store CO₂ in empty gas fields under the North Sea. “And that also poses risks for the final realisation of Aramis. How does the cabinet weigh this?” he asked.

D66 also asked what options the cabinet sees to make reuse and recycling more attractive as long as virgin raw materials remain cheaper than recycled materials.

Calls for Alternatives

Chris Stoffer of the christian-conservative party SGP asked about the status of the alternatives put forward by the waste sector. He stressed that the vast majority of the additional tax burden remains in place and asked whether the cabinet will continue to look for alternatives.

Luc Stultiens of the Left Party Pro called on the cabinet to actually implement his previously adopted motion in order to advance the circular economy.

Waste Sector Warns of €498 Million Annual Burden

The Dutch Waste Management Association (Vereniging Afvalbedrijven, VA) calls for policies that enable investment in sustainability. According to director Patric Hanselman, member companies collect and process waste, recover raw materials and supply energy and heat to households and businesses. In the coming years, the sector intends to invest heavily in further sustainability measures and contribute to the Netherlands’ independence in raw materials.

“The core of this debate is how we keep Dutch companies competitive and help them invest in these societal tasks,” Hanselman said. “The proposed additional charges, rising to around €498 million per year in 2035, undermine that ambition. We therefore call on the House of Representatives to take this increase in charges off the table and to align fiscal incentives with the investments that are needed.”

Debate Continues on 27 October

The House of Representatives will continue its discussion of the Tax Plan 2027 on 27 October. The VA hopes the next session will lead to a solution that ensures affordable waste treatment, creates a more level European playing field and provides scope for recycling and CO₂ reduction.

Read More

• Dutch Parliament Debates Financial Burden on Waste Sector
• Rising CO2 Levy Threatens Investment in Dutch Waste Incineration
• CCS Project Aramis Prepares Leadership Change Ahead of 2027 Decision
• Beauvent Connects Ostend Heat Network to Biostoom Incinerator
• Dutch Waste Sector Fears Levy Will Halt CO₂ Capture Projects