City officials in Amsterdam are exploring an unusual strategy to maintain cleanliness by removing some litter bins. This approach aims to address a problem attributed in part to individuals searching through the bins for refundable deposits on discarded items. Complaints regarding litter have increased in the city, particularly after the implementation of a deposit system for small bottles and cans. In a survey, 25% of residents reported their neighborhoods as dirty, with this figure rising to 40% in the city center.
Hester van Buren, the city’s finance chief responsible for waste management, stated that trial removals of certain bins in busy shopping areas and parks have shown potential as a solution. She referred to the “broken windows theory,” which suggests that visible litter can lead to more litter. According to van Buren, people often place refundable bottles into bins, causing them to be opened multiple times daily, which can attract more rubbish and pests. Increasing street cleaning efforts was described as ineffective, emphasizing the need to change public behavior regarding littering.
Litter bins will be removed from streets characterized by numerous takeout establishments, where businesses are required to manage their litter, and from areas with accessible underground waste containers. The city is testing devices that can automatically close after use or feature slots for individuals to deposit refundable containers, similar to systems in Denmark.
In response to community concerns, a local entrepreneur’s viral LinkedIn post about littering prompted nearly 9,100 residents to register for a community clean-up event. Additionally, Kor van der Bij, a project leader at the Rubbiz foundation, noted that volunteer efforts reflect a commitment to improving local environments, while also acknowledging the roles of government and businesses in reducing plastic waste.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/19/amsterdams-answer-to-its-rubbish-crisis-remove-some-of-the-litter-bins