2.
FOST PLUS
2.1. Implementation of the new accreditation
Fost Plus’s accreditation for the period 2024-2028 came into effect on
1 January 2024. The first year of implementation laid the groundwork for this new accreditation.
One of the first steps in the implementation process was to update the standard contract between Fost Plus and the intermunicipalities. Fost Plus’s accreditation requires that the standard contract be updated and reapproved by the IRPC in order to incorporate the new provisions. This work was carried out in consultation with Fost Plus and the intermunicipalities.
The accreditation also included updating the PMD-Companies agreement. Before the IRPC gave its approval, there were talks with Fost Plus and Denuo, the Belgian federation of companies involved in waste treatment and recycling.
The updated membership contracts with Fost Plus members were also submitted to the IRPC, but the IRPC asked Fost Plus to amend and supplement them for clarification purposes before they could be approved. Fost Plus must now resubmit this updated version in 2025.
The “ad hoc” working group tasked with developing a model for calculating the costs for intermunicipalities that use their own staff and equipment was set up in 2024 and will continue its work in 2025.
As specified in article 18(2) of its accreditation, Fost Plus submitted to the IRPC its action plan for single-use gas cylinders, particularly those containing nitrous oxide. Once Fost Plus had provided further clarification, the IRPC approved the action plan at the end of 2024. Fost Plus must now implement it as soon as possible.
At the end of 2024, in accordance with its accreditation, Fost Plus submitted various prevention and reuse action programmes to the IRPC: one on avoiding and reducing packaging, which aims to achieve an absolute reduction of at least 5% in the amount of one-way packaging placed on the market by the end of the accreditation period, a second on eco-design, which aims to promote ecological design and circularity of packaging, and a third promoting the use of reusable packaging. At the same time, Fost Plus submitted its “Out-of-Home” collection action plan.
Sorting and recycling
Sorting plants
Sorting and recycling
Recycling plants
Sorting and recycling
Recycling situation in 2023
2.2. Sorting and recycling
The expanded blue bag has been used throughout Belgium since the end of 2021. Since 2023 this bag has been sorted into a minimum of 16 fractions in brand-new sorting plants, with the aim of ensuring recycling of the highest possible quality. The new sorting facilities came into operation in 2021 and 2022.
The fractions concerned are:
Transparent PET bottles, colourless
PET trays
Mixed PO
Ferrous metals
Transparent PET bottles, blue
HDPE
PE films
Aluminium
Transparent PET bottles, other colours
PP
Other films
Small aluminium
PET (bottles)
PS
Drink cartons
Residual waste
The high-quality fractions that come out of the new sorting plants must also be recycled to the highest possible standards.
Fost Plus has therefore arranged new recycling contracts for plastics to ensure that recycling is as circular as possible. At the same time, steps have been taken to maximise the amount of recycling carried out in Belgium. This will be made possible by the construction of new recycling plants, which are either already up and running or are due to start up in 2026.
2.2.1. Sorting plants
The expanded PMD stream will be sorted entirely in Belgium. Five new sorting plants have been built for this purpose, spread across the country.
Willebroek
- Operational since December 2020
- Annual tonnage: 60,000 tonnes
Couillet (Charleroi)
- Operational since June 2021
- Annual tonnage: 40,000 tonnes
Ghlin (Mons)
- Operational since 4th quarter of 2021
- Annual tonnage: 50,000 tonnes
Evergem
- Operational since January 2021
- Annual tonnage: 78,000 tonnes
Engis (Hermalle-sous-Huy)
- Operational since 2nd quarter of 2023
- Annual tonnage:
nearly 40,000 tonnes
Vanheede (Rumbeke)
In addition to sorting the new PMD fraction, Vanheede (Rumbeke) specialises, among other things, in its sorting centres in sorting PMD collected from companies and post-sorting PMD residues.
2.2.2. Recycling plants
The various plastic streams are processed to a high standard thanks to the existence of new (or rebuilt) recycling centres in Belgium and the fact that long-term contracts have been signed. Belgium is thus focusing on recycling within its national borders to ensure optimal quality and control.
Ecoo Houthalen
Recycling of mixed plastics: MPO (mixed polyolefins) and mixed films (other than PE films). Mixed films and MPO plastics are recycled into MPO regranulate (400-2000 microns), MPO agglomerate and regrind for industrial applications, such as compost bins, sustainable garden edging and benches.
- Houthalen-Helchteren
- New line operational since January 2021
- Annual tonnage: 24,000 tonnes (this capacity may be increased by adding a third line)
Filao
Recycling of PET bottles. Colourless transparent PET bottles and blue transparent PET bottles are transformed into high-quality recycled PET for food-safe applications. The recycled PET, or rPET, is then placed back on the Belgian market, for instance by being used for the bottled water of various Sources Alma brands and the brands of their retail partners.
- Couillet (Charleroi)
- Operational since September 2023
- Annual tonnage: 40,000 tonnes
Ecoo Beringen
PE film-to-film recycling. Household packaging films are turned into bin liners and packaging films or used for other film applications.
- Beringen
- Operational since May 2022
- Annual tonnage: 42,000 tonnes
Mopet Belgique
Recycling of PET trays, blue transparent PET bottles, other colours of transparent PET bottles and opaque PET bottles. The PET trays will become new PET trays, and the bottles will be turned into new bottles. Very high percentages of these products are re-entering the Belgian market.
- Neufchâteau
- Operational during 2026
- Annual tonnage: 28,000 tonnes
Morssinkhof Plastics Belgium
A new recycling plant is also being built in Lommel for PP and HDPE and should be operational during the second quarter of 2026.
- Lommel
- Operational during the second quarter of 2026
- Annual tonnage: 24,000 tonnes (expandable to 40,000 tonnes)
2.2.3. Recycling situation in 2023
Fost Plus packaging waste is recycled only in the European Union, as much as 81% of it in Belgium.
Types of plastic and recycling rate
Rue Gaucheret 92-94
1030 Brussels
Belgium
TABLE OF CONTENT
Special thanks to Fost Plus, Valipac and Indaver for the images.