Cans used for soft drinks and beer will carry a deposit of 15 cents from January, despite the protests of the industry, environment minister Vivianne Heijnen has confirmed.

Producers are responsible for setting up the system and say that April 1 or July 1 would be a better date but this is ‘unacceptable’, the minister said. She says the industry has had enough time to get prepared.

The delay is needed, the sector says, because of ‘uncertainties in the delivery times’ for key pieces of equipment.

The government decided nearly two years ago to introduce deposits on drinks cans in an effort to cut down on litter.

Deposits were introduced on small plastic bottles in July 2021 and in the first year of operation around 80% were handed in for recycling.