nuSep 4, 2026, 08:01

Inspectorate threatens McDonald's with multi-million euro fine over disposable cups

The Dutch Inspectorate has ordered McDonald's to stop using disposable cups for dine-in customers by January 2027 or face weekly fines of 625,000 euros. The company has agreed to switch back to reusable cups, ending a period of non-compliance that resulted in millions of discarded cups annually.

The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has issued a warning to McDonald's regarding its persistent use of disposable cups for dine-in customers, which violates regulations introduced in 2024. Despite initial efforts to implement reusable options, the fast-food chain reverted to disposables, leading to an estimated 80 million discarded cups annually. The ILT has mandated that the company comply with the law by January 5, 2027. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in weekly fines of 625,000 euros, up to a maximum total of 3.75 million euros.

McDonald's has since confirmed it will shift back to reusable cups for dine-in services, citing the need for time to manage logistics and washing capacity. While environmental groups like the Fair Resource Foundation welcome the move, they have criticized the company for its delayed compliance and past lobbying against plastic waste regulations. McDonald's maintains that current rules do not fully align with the operational realities of fast-service restaurants but will comply to avoid the impending financial penalties.

Economy Business Culture Netherlands

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Not selling out is not a death blow for festival: 'But be careful not to price yourself out of the market'

Festival organizations in the Netherlands faced a challenging summer marked by extreme weather, rising operational costs, and fluctuating ticket sales. Despite these significant hurdles, industry professionals remain optimistic due to the sector's inherent creativity and ability to adapt to difficult circumstances.

Not just IDFA: Amsterdam’s wider cultural sector hit by rising hotel costs as tourist tax hike drives away key visitors

Amsterdam's cultural sector, including major events like IDFA, ADE, and the Holland Festival, is struggling due to rising tourist taxes and hotel VAT. These increased costs are forcing organizers to raise ticket prices and reduce programming, threatening the accessibility and quality of the city's cultural offerings.

Harry Styles concerts in Arena caused inflation in the Netherlands to rise

Economists from De Nederlandsche Bank have linked a series of ten concerts by Harry Styles in Amsterdam to a rise in Dutch inflation during May. The high demand from international fans led to a significant surge in hotel and ticket prices, marking an unusual impact on the national economy.

Housing, industry and nature: who gets the space along the North Sea Canal?

The Noordzeekanaal area is experiencing increasing pressure as industrial needs, new housing projects, and nature conservation compete for limited space. A new television series commemorates the canal's 150th anniversary by exploring how these different sectors coexist and evolve within the region.

ABN AMRO expects newspaper revenue growth due to willingness to pay for news

Dutch newspaper publishers experienced their sixth consecutive year of revenue growth, reaching 1.2 billion euros, largely driven by a surge in digital subscriptions. While advertising income has dwindled due to competition from big tech, newspapers are increasingly relying on paid readers and leveraging new formats like podcasts and AI tools to maintain their market relevance.