The Belgian packaging industry is outraged by the introduction of a new €102 million litter levy. But it conveniently forgets that its effective lobbying has already saved it no less than €465 million. This sum has been gained at the expense of local authorities and society. This levy is due to be approved today by the Walloon Council of Ministers. Fair Resource Foundation delves into the figures.
Coca-Cola, Unilever, Lidl are the main culprits for the pollution of the Flemish Coast in Ostend. Not families with children, nor tourists. Fair Resource Foundation joined forces with Proper Strand Lopers and City to Ocean to hold producers accountable.
Press Release: Fair Resource Foundation response to Verpact's new collection figures on deposit system
Each region of Belgium has a different litter policy. Flanders has a -20% target for 2022 compared to 2015, which has not been achieved. In Wallonia and Brussels, agreements on litter are less clearly formulated and there is a lack of proper monitoring. In no region is litter tackled at the source.
The Flemish government decided just before Christmas that it will introduce deposits on plastic bottles and cans by 2025 in consultation with the other two regions. The Belgian packaging industry is promoting a 'digital' collection system as an alternative to the 'classic' deposit system. We review both systems.
Environmental organisation Recycling Netwerk Benelux supports the Flemish government's intention to have a working deposit system in place, in consultation with the two other regions, by 2025. The plan is to introduce a deposit of 20 to 25 eurocents on all plastic...
They do so through an opinion published on the Euractiv website today. “This is a historic breakthrough in the debate on deposit return systems,” environmental organization Recycling Netwerk Benelux says with delight. “NMWE and UNESDA believe that well-designed...