Recycling Cans and Bottles 

In the Netherlands, there is a container deposit on all plastic bottles (large and small) for soft drinks and water. Since April 1, 2023, there is also a container deposit on cans. You can identify these containers by the container deposit logo. The goal is to collect 90% of all cans and bottles separately for recycling in the coming years. This will reduce a significant amount of litter and waste. To achieve this goal, VU Amsterdam is participating in the Container Deposit Higher Education programme. 

Collection Points at VU Amsterdam

You will find the vending machines at these locations:

• Main Building, opposite coffee corner on the ground floor. 
• NU building, opposite the toilets on the ground floor. 
• MF building, main hall.

The placement of the deposit vending machine is in cooperation with Deposit Money Netherlands. All collected bottles and cans will be recycled.

The machines operate using a refund card system. The money is paid directly into your bank account. Alternatively, you can donate to a charity.

Donate to charity

You can also choose to donate your deposit to charity. All proceeds of the collection point Main Building will go to the Foundation for Refugee Students UAF. The proceeds of the collection point NU building and MF building will go to the Plastic Soup Foundation.

Other return points

• There are bins with a deposit return mechanism on the campus square.
• At various catering outlets, you’ll find ‘Plastic Heroes bottles’ where you can return bottles and cans for recycling.
• The SPAR has a deposit return machine that accepts Tikkie payments.