Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002945/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sander Smit (PPE)
The Netherlands plans to tax the waste sector an additional EUR 567 million annually from 2028. This disproportionate levy makes waste processing in the Netherlands economically unattractive, leading to waste displacement to other Member States and third countries with lower processing standards. This increases the risk of waste being landfilled rather than utilised for energy recovery in waste incinerators and recycled, which ultimately leads to higher methane emissions at EU level. The threat of reduced treatment capacity not only undermines the circular transition, but also cross-border circularity clusters, cross-border cooperation, regional heat supply and carbon capture and storage (CCU & CCS).
Pursuant to Article 16 of Directive 2008/98/EC, waste should be treated as close as possible to the place of generation.
- 1.How will the Commission enforce Article 16 of the Waste Framework Directive, now that Dutch tax measures may lead to increased transport of waste over thousands of kilometres without demonstrable environmental benefits and higher waste-disposal charges for residents?
- 2.Is the Commission planning corrective measures against Member States in which fiscal policy leads to cross-border waste volume reduction, increased greenhouse gas emissions and waste processing at lower environmental standards than before?
- 3.In the context of Article 16(3), how does the Commission guarantee the economic viability of innovative waste treatment plants that are put under pressure by unilateral national (tax) levies and the drying up of waste streams from nearby regions and other Member States?
Submitted: 16.7.2025