In response to alleged pressure from some industrial lobbyists, members of the reuse sector have addressed a ‘letter of congratulations’ to Belgian policymakers for measures to hold packaging producers formally responsible for their waste.
The letter commends ministers of the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region, and the Brussels-Capital Region, alongside the Federal Government, for revising their Packaging Cooperation Agreement to align with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation’s entry into force on 12th August 2026.
It highlights efforts to hold producers responsible for achieving packaging waste prevention targets, as per Article 43 of the Regulation; and to introduce a €50-per-tonne ‘prevention contribution’, calculated by material stream and paid by producers or PROs themselves, in case prevention targets are not met.
This measure is only expected to affect producers if the prevention targets are not met. It is set to incentivize them to adopt preventative measures and avoid paying the contribution; its application across material types is also hoped to prevent substitution and avoid inequities between producers.
According to the letter’s signatories, the ‘prevention contribution’ will financially prepare the regions to enforce packaging systems that prevent the Lansink ladder if upcoming targets are not met. The funds could then be used to finance prevention measures such as reuse systems, bulk sales, refill solutions, the signatories suggest.
They acknowledge that all stakeholders involved in packaging management should play a role, but holding producers formally responsible is thought to share the effort fairly and help prevent packaging waste at its source.
Looking ahead, the signatories urge policymakers to put their ambitions into action, and to work alongside other Member States and the European Commission to push for a circular economy across the continent.
Among the signatories are representatives from the New European Reuse Alliance (New ERA), Zero Waste Europe, Searious Business, the Fair Resource Foundation, the Environmental Coalition on Standards, City to Ocean, and more.
In other news, Plastics Recyclers Europe, Reloop, Recycling Europe, Green Dot and the European Waste Management Association (FEAD) have published a joint letter calling upon policymakers to apply a ‘Made in Europe’ requirement to recycled plastic content targets. This is hoped to create local demand and support the EU’s recycling sector.
The Federation of German Industries, GemPSI and WVMetalle have also signed a statement urging the European Commission to use the Omnibus proposals as a chance to simplify PPWR legislation for industrial and commercial packaging.
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