05
August
2021
|
09:59
Europe/Amsterdam

Passengers donate returnable deposits to charities at Schiphol

Summary

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and HMSHost International will donate returnable deposits for small PET bottles to Amref Flying Doctors and Made Blue. These two charities will use the money to fund clean drinking water projects in Africa. Dozens of donation bins have been placed on piers, outside large catering outlets, at some large offices and near security control for passengers to drop off empty bottles.

From 1 July 2021, a €0.15 returnable deposit will be charged on small PET bottles. The donation bins have been set up in cooperation with catering outlets and other partners at the airport. HMSHost International will ensure that the bottles are be brought back into the chain. Passengers and employees can recognise small PET bottles with a returnable deposit by the deposit logo on the label.

Since many PET bottles are used in the terminal we’re happy to do our part ,together with HMSHost International and Vermaat, to ensure that they’re high-quality recycled since Schiphol is a voluntary collection site. This dovetails with our ambition to become a zero-waste airport by 2030. It also contributes to support the development of drinking water projects in Ethiopia.
Mike Boks, Food & Beverage Manager at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

The special donation bins are made of recycled PET and printed with sustainable ink. In addition to the dozens of donation bins in the terminal, bins have also been placed in a number of offices in and around the airport.

 

We’re proud to have teamed up with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for the collection of PET bottles. This is a major step towards Schiphol’s aim of becoming a zero-waste airport by 2030, as well as an important step in our own sustainability strategy. Moreover, we’re also helping to provide communities with clean drinking water through our partner Made Blue.
Bas van Asten, VP Commercial, HMSHost International

Clean drinking water
Participating charities Amref Flying Doctors and Made Blue will use the proceeds to ensure that people in Ethiopia have clean drinking water, safe sanitation and good hygiene. The charities carry out these projects at 20 schools in disadvantaged areas and in the communities surrounding those schools. This allows children – especially girls – to stay healthy while attending school throughout the year.

It’s great that we can use recycled water and soft drink bottles for clean water projects. The deposit from one bottle allows us to provide 500 litres of clean drinking water. This gives 100 children in Ethiopia access to clean drinking water and hygiene at school for a day,
Frank van der Tang, co-founder of Made Blue
And with effective information and the construction of safe toilets and sinks at the schools, girls can also come to school when they’re menstruating. Through these efforts, we hope to cut the absence rate for school-aged girls in half.
Patricia Vermeulen, director of Amref Flying Doctors