2.
Fost Plus
2.1. Implementation of the accreditation
In 2025, Fost Plus continued to implement its 2024–2028 accreditation while progressing with work on new provisions.
In this context, the standard tender specifications for the collection of household hazardous waste, which were drawn up by Fost Plus and the Joint Committee in 2024, were approved by the IRPC in 2025.
Work on drafting specifications for EPS waste streams and cork, which began in 2024, continued into 2025.
Fost Plus presented the “prevention and reuse” and “eco-design” action programmes and the “out-of-home” action plan at the end of 2024 and these were then discussed in depth at meetings between Fost Plus and the IRPC. As set out in the accreditation, Fost Plus opted to combine the “prevention” action programme with the “reuse” action plan. The IRPC finally approved the action programmes at the end of 2025.
Fost Plus has also continued to implement its action plan on gas cylinders, which aims to address the issue of single-use canisters, particularly those containing nitrous oxide. In 2025, as part of this, Fost Plus developed a web platform that centralises sorting instructions for various types of gas cylinders. The platform is due to go live in 2026 and will guide users towards appropriate solutions.
The ad hoc working group, composed of Fost Plus and the municipalities or intermunicipalities that use their own staff and equipment, continued developing its calculation model for internal operational costs in 2025.
Finally, regarding the eco-modulation of Green Dot rates, the “materials” working group, which was originally tasked with establishing the relevant rules for Belgium, was suspended at the end of 2025. Since its objective will now be addressed by the PPWR, which will set out the rules on modulating the financial contributions to be paid by producers, it is no longer necessary to pursue this work in its current format.
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:
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 is sorted entirely in Belgium, in six new sorting plants, spread across the country.
Prezero
• Evergem
• Operational since January 2021
• Annual tonnage: 79,000 tonnes
Valtris
• Couillet (Charleroi)
• Operational since June 2021
• Annual tonnage: 45,000 tonnes
Sitel
• Engis
(Hermalle-sous-Huy)
• Operational since
second quarter of 2023
• Annual tonnage:
nearly 40,000 tonnes
Indaver
• Willebroek
• Operational since December 2020
• Annual tonnage:
75,000 tonnes
Val’Up
• Ghlin (Mons)
• Operational since
fourth quarter of 2021
• Annual tonnage:
50,000 tonnes
Vanheede
• Rumbeke
• Operational since 2022
• Annual tonnage:
21,000 tonnes
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.
Plastics2Chemicals (Indaver)
Chemical recycling of plastics into monomers that are as pure as virgin plastics, making them suitable for demanding applications such as food packaging. The first batch of polystyrene from the blue PMD bag was chemically recycled in 2024.
- Antwerp
- Operational since October 2024
- Annual tonnage: 26,000 tonnes (potentially up to 65,000 tonnes by 2028)
Morssinkhof Plastics Belgium
A new recycling plant for PP and HDPE is being built in Lommel and is expected to be operational in Q2 2026.
- Lommel
- Operational in 2026
- Annual tonnage: 24,000 tonnes (potentially up to 40,000 tonnes)
Mopet Belgique
Recycling of PET trays, blue transparent PET bottles, other colours of transparent PET bottles and opaque PET bottles. The PET trays become new PET trays, and the bottles are turned into new bottles. A significant proportion of these products re-enter the Belgian market.
- Neufchâteau
- Recycling of PET bottles set to start in spring 2026. PET trays will follow in Q3 2026.
- Annual tonnage: 40,000 tonnes
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. This recycled PET, or rPET, is then used to make new bottles, many of which are returned to the Belgian market.
- Couillet (Charleroi)
- Operational since September 2023
- Annual tonnage: 40,000 tonnes
Fromto Beringen
PE film-to-film recycling. Household packaging films are turned into new bin liners and packaging films or used for other film applications.
- Beringen
- Operational since May 2022
- Annual tonnage: 42,000 tonnes
Ecoo Recycling
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
2.2.3. Recycling situation in 2024
Fost Plus packaging waste is recycled only in the European Union, as much as 72.7% of it in Belgium.
Glass
Total: 100.0%