This week, Schiphol Airport Retail (SAR) announced that plastic water bottles would no longer be sold at the 12 stores the group manages at the airport. 

Dutch retailer no longer selling plastic bottles at Schiphol

As the largest retailer at Schiphol, SAR manages 12 shops across the airport’s departure lounges. In an effort to reduce plastic waste, as of this week, these shops no longer stock or sell disposable plastic water bottles. 

SAR claims to be the first group of its kind in Europe to take such a step, and says the change will prevent the waste of 750.000 bottles. Under the new policy, plastic water bottles will no longer be sold at Schiphol’s duty-free stores (i.e. the shops in departure lounges selling chocolate, alcohol or cigarettes). Water bottles will, however, still be sold at other retailers.

Dopper to instal water fountain at Schiphol Airport

Instead, SAR is collaborating with the Dopper, a Dutch company that manufactures reusable water bottles. As part of the Dopper’s plan to introduce more public water fountains across the Netherlands, the company is installing a free-to-use tap in Lounge 2 at Schiphol Airport. 

"Bringing and refilling your reusable water bottle when you travel should be just as normal as taking your phone and passport with you," Dopper chief Virginia Yanquilevich told ANP. "We hope other retailers will follow SAR's lead."

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