​​Fost Plus re-accredited as body for household packaging waste​ 

Fost Plus will remain responsible for the management of household packaging waste in Belgium for the next five years following the decision from the Interregional Packaging Commission granting the organisation the necessary accreditation. So, Fost Plus is embarking on its 30^th year. In the period 2024-2028, efforts will continue to strengthen and expand selective collection to make it as easy as possible for members of the public to always sort properly, wherever they are. In addition, Fost Plus is to develop action plans and a policy vision aimed at working closely with the companies to reduce packaging, where possible replace it with reusable alternatives and continue to focus on better recyclable packaging. 

Fost Plus managing director Wim Geens: “Over the next five years we will be taking on our social role in full. Even better packaging design, more innovation in collection methods, reducing packaging or rethinking their business model – all these help us work towards our end goal: to contribute towards a sustainable society and a cleaner living environment for everyone.” ​ 

 Efficient and effective recycling ensures that the impact of packaging waste on the environment remains limited. Packaging is converted into secondary raw materials for new products or packaging. Fost Plus has fulfilled this role for 30 years now, and is thus accredited for five-year periods. The organisation developed an ecosystem of partners with a view to creating a social base for the way we deal with packaging waste. With success. Thanks to a simple sorting message, accessible door-to-door collection and a uniform system across the country, the level of participation among the general public is high and Belgium ranks among the best in Europe when it comes to packaging recycling. The priorities in the new accreditation continue to build on this. 

Convenience for the public first and foremost 

The general public are the linchpin in this approach. To make it as easy as possible for them to sort, the accreditation provides for the possibility of reinforcing the basic collection scenario (door-to-door collection of PMD and paper-cardboard and collection of glass via bring banks, supplemented by collection at recycling parks). The services provided for the public are optimised by implementing customised collection solutions, such as in large cities and tourist areas, for example. The priorities here are quality and (cost) efficiency. ​ 

But out-of-home collection is also being further developed. Key goals have been set for this, including a 25% increase in selective collection over the accreditation period, for collection at the workplace or via other out-of-home locations such as sports clubs, hospitality venues or train and bus stations. ​ 

More than recycling  

Over the next five years, Fost Plus will play a more important role in sustainable packaging management. To this end, the organisation is drawing up three specific action plans together with the companies 

 These action plans may, for example, include: a benchmark per sector for prevention measures, packaging diagnoses, measures to increase awareness among the general public of alternatives to single-use packaging or the organisation of upscalable pilot projects to test operational solutions for reusable packaging on the ground. ​ 

A role in tackling litter on the ground 

he accreditation also refers to a new role for Fost Plus as it is to take responsibility for litter on behalf of its members. In this context, contracts will be concluded between the industry and the many local authorities to boost the fight against litter. The new Interregional Cooperation Agreement for litter is being drawn up for this but despite the fact that the European directive was supposed to have been transposed back in 2021, there is still no final operational framework. Nevertheless, in the coming months, Fost Plus will continue to work on concretising how it intends to achieve the extension of producer responsibility on litter in the field. 

In short, Fost aims to extend the facilitating role that it plays in the recycling chain to include smart materials and raw materials management. The Fost Plus members are excited about the path that the organisation is embarking on to respond to the challenges of a modern society. It offers a concrete answer to the expectations of the general public, civil society and the policy and decision makers as regards protecting our natural resource and contributing to a better world.