The pilot projects measure anything but the goal: reducing litter

Chloé Schwizgebel, Project Coordinator Deposit Belgium, Recycling Network Benelux Tycho Van Hauwaert, Policy Officer Industry Bond Beter Leefmilieu The end game for deposit-return in Flanders is underway. Yesterday, in the plenary session, there was still a lively debate about the introduction of a digital versus a classic deposit-return system. The results of two pilot projects on digital deposits are already less positive than OVAM makes them out to be. The starting point is clear: this Flemish Government has agreed to tackle the abundance of litter in our nature and streets by means of a deposit system on cans and bottles. In 2021, no less than 18,171 tonnes of waste were collected, meaning that the target of 20% less litter compared to 2015 was far from being met. And so Minister of Environment Zuhal Demir herself said that "deposits are inevitable". Subsequently, under pressure from the packaging industry, a trial period of one year was granted by the Minister of Environment to test a digital alternative. Clumsy communication from OVAM Last week, OVAM stated in a press release that the pilot projects in Center Parks and Bobbejaanland 'had an impact' and that the system seemed to work technically. Yet it is anyone's guess what this 'impact' actually is, because the positive conclusion is far from the reality of the results, which the sounding board group itself had not yet been able to assess. Nevertheless, no expense or effort seemed to be spared: special cans with a QR code were introduced (how and at what cost, nobody knows), a PMD waste bin was placed next to the residual waste bin, a new application was launched, and even home scanners and dozens of staff members were ready to explain to visitors how the digital system works. But all these investments could not answer the most important question: does this digital system result in less litter? The independent agency brought in for the occasion found no significant reduction. Moreover, there are many gaps in the report and the research methodology: in Bobbejaanland, the number of visitors was not shared, consumption patterns were not examined, and the baseline measurement took place during a very hot weekend, when the number of drinks consumed and thus packaging waste was higher than average. In Center Parks De Haan, the quantities were too small to draw any conclusions. Furthermore, the number of users of the system remained very limited, despite what the industry claims: less than 1 in 4 visitors showed a willingness to participate. How can a system be successful if it does not motivate people to participate right from the start? Playtime is over, time for a decision By the end of the month, OVAM must submit its report on the pilot projects. But that does not put an end to the deposit debate. Members of Parliament and the sounding board group will also be heard in the final advisory report. Minister Demir had already announced that she would make a decision in this dossier by the end of this year. On Wednesday 22 November 2023, she emphasised her choice in the plenary session: "For me, that choice really is: easy, user-friendly, and less litter." The applause in the plenary session when the call was made to finally choose a classic system showed the support of the MPs. Only Open Vld still seems to back the "innovative" system proposed by the industry. But what is the use of an innovation that does not clean our streets? In Brussels and Wallonia, the search for a suitable deposit system is more focused. Wallonia is conducting a study to compare deposit systems. Based on the preliminary results, Wallonia already expressed its preference for the classic system in July, as did Brussels. The final results of this study are also expected in the coming weeks. In any case, the three regions will have to agree before the roll-out of a deposit system in 2025. An important handle in this is the recognition of Fost Plus as the body for managing household packaging waste, which will also be decided by the three regions at the end of this year. This should contain a clear vision on litter and the deposit-return approach. Support for 2025 Currently, a lot of money has already been spent trying to prove that a digital deposit system works. Time and again, the results are disappointing. If there is one thing that the pilot projects did make possible, it is that key stakeholders – Flemish municipalities, consumer and environmental organisations, smaller producers, and the hospitality sector – have thought together about the future Belgian deposit system. And this pool of new experts is only growing. Just like the many European countries that have long shown us the way

The end game for deposit-return in Flanders is underway. Yesterday, in the plenary session, there was still a lively debate about the introduction of a digital versus a classic deposit-return system. The results of two pilot projects on digital deposits are already less positive than OVAM makes them out to be.

The starting point is clear: this Flemish Government has agreed to tackle the abundance of litter in our nature and streets by means of a deposit system on cans and bottles. In 2021, no less than 18,171 tonnes of waste were collected, meaning that the target of 20% less litter compared to 2015 was far from being met. And so Minister of Environment Zuhal Demir herself said that "deposits are inevitable". Subsequently, under pressure from the packaging industry, a trial period of one year was granted by the Minister of Environment to test a digital alternative.

Clumsy communication from OVAM

Last week, OVAM stated in a press release that the pilot projects in Center Parks and Bobbejaanland 'had an impact' and that the system seemed to work technically. Yet it is anyone's guess what this 'impact' actually is, because the positive conclusion is far from the reality of the results, which the sounding board group itself had not yet been able to assess.

Nevertheless, no expense or effort seemed to be spared: special cans with a QR code were introduced (how and at what cost, nobody knows), a PMD waste bin was placed next to the residual waste bin, a new application was launched, and even home scanners and dozens of staff members were ready to explain to visitors how the digital system works.

But all these investments could not answer the most important question: does this digital system result in less litter? The independent agency brought in for the occasion found no significant reduction. Moreover, there are many gaps in the report and the research methodology: in Bobbejaanland, the number of visitors was not shared, consumption patterns were not examined, and the baseline measurement took place during a very hot weekend, when the number of drinks consumed and thus packaging waste was higher than average. In Center Parks De Haan, the quantities were too small to draw any conclusions. Furthermore, the number of users of the system remained very limited, despite what the industry claims: less than 1 in 4 visitors showed a willingness to participate. How can a system be successful if it does not motivate people to participate right from the start?

Playtime is over, time for a decision

By the end of the month, OVAM must submit its report on the pilot projects. But that does not put an end to the deposit debate. Members of Parliament and the sounding board group will also be heard in the final advisory report. Minister Demir had already announced that she would make a decision in this dossier by the end of this year. On Wednesday 22 November 2023, she emphasised her choice in the plenary session: “For me, that choice really is: easy, user-friendly, and less litter.”

The applause in the plenary session when the call was made to finally choose a classic system showed the support of the MPs. Only Open Vld still seems to back the "innovative" system proposed by the industry. But what is the use of an innovation that does not clean our streets?

In Brussels and Wallonia, the search for a suitable deposit system is more focused. Wallonia is conducting a study to compare deposit systems. Based on the preliminary results, Wallonia already expressed its preference for the classic system in July, as did Brussels. The final results of this study are also expected in the coming weeks. In any case, the three regions will have to agree before the roll-out of a deposit system in 2025. An important handle in this is the recognition of Fost Plus as the body for managing household packaging waste, which will also be decided by the three regions at the end of this year. This should contain a clear vision on litter and the deposit-return approach.

Support for 2025

Currently, a lot of money has already been spent trying to prove that a digital deposit system works. Time and again, the results are disappointing.

If there is one thing that the pilot projects did make possible, it is that key stakeholders – Flemish municipalities, consumer and environmental organisations, smaller producers, and the hospitality sector – have thought together about the future Belgian deposit system. And this pool of new experts is only growing. Just like the many European countries that have long shown us the way to this most effective form of deposit-return: returning cans and bottles to the shop.

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