Take-back (i.e. recycling and recovery) obligation
Who does it apply to?
Companies that place more than 300 kg of household and industrial/commercial packaging on the Belgian market per year.
The minimum overall targets, expressed in terms of percentage by weight relative to the total weight of one-way packaging placed on the Belgian market, shall be as follows for household packaging waste:
- as from calendar year 2009:
- recycling: 80%;
- recovery, plus “incineration at waste incineration plants with energy recovery”: 90%.
The minimum overall targets, expressed in terms of percentage by weight relative to the total weight of one-way packaging material placed on the Belgian market, shall be as follows for industrial and commercial packaging waste:
- as from calendar year 2009:
- recycling: 75%;
- recovery, plus “incineration at waste incineration plants with energy recovery”: 80%;
- as from calendar year 2010:
- recycling: 80%;
- recovery, plus “incineration at waste incineration plants with energy recovery”: 85%.
What does the take-back obligation mean for my company?
As from the calendar year following the entry into force of the Cooperation Agreement of 5 March 2020 amending the Cooperation Agreement of 4 November 2008 on the prevention and management of packaging waste*, the following minimum recycling rates also have to be achieved for the whole of Belgium for the various packaging materials:
- 90% by weight for glass;
- 90% by weight for paper/cardboard;
- 90% by weight for drink cartons;
- 90% by weight for ferrous metals;
- 75% by weight for aluminium;
- 50% by weight for plastics;
- 80% by weight for wood.
For household packaging waste, as from calendar year 2023, a minimum recycling rate of 65% by weight for plastics must be achieved for the whole of Belgium.
For industrial and commercial packaging waste, as from calendar year 2023, a minimum recycling rate of 55% by weight for plastics must be achieved for the whole of Belgium.
For household packaging waste, as from calendar year 2030, a minimum recycling rate of 70% by weight for plastics must be achieved for the whole of Belgium.
For industrial and commercial packaging waste, as from calendar year 2030, a minimum recycling rate of 65% by weight for plastics must be achieved for the whole of Belgium.
The target recycling rates listed above shall be calculated using the methods determined by the Interregional Packaging Commission, in accordance with European law.
*These new percentages are therefore applicable since 2021, the Cooperation Agreement came into effect in September 2020
Example:
If your company is responsible for 10 tonnes of household packaging, you must demonstrate that at least 8 tonnes have been recycled and that at least 1 tonne has been (additionally) recycled or recovered (e.g. with energy recovery).
To give a more specific example, suppose that the quantities involved are 8 tonnes of paper/cardboard and 2 tonnes of plastic. In that case, your company will have to be able to demonstrate that it has recycled (or has had recycled) at least 7.2 tonnes of paper/cardboard and 1.0 tonnes of plastic.
How can my company comply with the take-back obligation?
You have two options:
1. Join an accredited compliance organisation
You can comply with your statutory obligations by joining an accredited compliance organisation, which will then take care of the formalities for you.
Valipac is the accredited compliance organisation for industrial & commercial packaging.
Fost Plus is the accredited compliance organisation for household packaging.
If your packaging is found in companies as well as in households, you must join both organisations.
2. Report to the IRPC yourself
If you wish to comply with your statutory obligation yourself, you must collect proof of the recycling and recovery of the packaging for which your company is responsible, and provide that proof to the Interregional Packaging Commission (IRPC). You can do this online via the “packaging declaration”.
You may consider submitting your own declaration if:
- your company is only responsible for type C packaging
- your company organises the take-back (i.e. recycling and recovery) of its packaging waste from its customers itself
Click here for more information on online reporting (available in Dutch, French or German).
