Second part continuing

ADVERTORIAL See first part of this article page 21 ensuring uniformity in the sorting message and thus uniformity in the collected materials. The collected materials are then sorted by the same strict specifications in five sorting centres. This uniformity is of paramount importance as it allows for scalability. Finally the sorted materials, 14 different fractions or material types to be precise, get recycled into new secondary raw materials by specialized recycling partners.

For some materials, the recycling is easy and the process well-established. For others not so much. In those cases, the recycling chain needs to be built up from the ground.

To develop new recycling chains, two conditions must be met: 1. Stable quantity 2. Stable quality

Today, this is the case, with the New Blue Bag guaranteeing a stable inflow of material and the new sorting centers guaranteeing a set quality perimeter.

With long-term sourcing contracts Fost Plus managed to attract investments in Belgian recycling plants. Over the next three to five years, no less than five new recycling plants will be erected on Belgian soil. The key to success was guaranteeing them a fixed amount of material, in line with the necessary quality demands. What’s more, all of them have a recycling capacity surpassing the Belgian household packaging. That means they can attract other partners: household packaging waste from our neighbouring countries or post-industrial waste streams. This reciprocity ensures economic viability.

Ecoo Beringen, unique in Europe

The groundwork at Ecoo Beringen has officially kicked off on May 20, 2021. It is the second of the five new recycling plants, the first one being already fully operational. Ecoo Beringen will specialize in the recycling of PE (polyethylene) foils. These flexible plastic foils make up about two thirds of all household packaging foils, with applications ranging from plastic shrink-wrap around multipacks to bags for grated cheese to the blue PMD bags themselves. From January 2022, the recycling centre will process some 42,000 tons of PE foils annually. Fost Plus is committed to supplying 25,000 tons of Belgian PE foils for recycling every year. For the residual capacity, Ecoo Beringen will recycle agricultural film and inflow from abroad.

PE foil can be recycled circularly into new foils without any degradation of quality. Therefore, there is a great need in Europe for processing capacity of this fraction with such a high quality assurance. But even if the recycling of post-industrial foils is still marginal, the recycling of post-consumer foils is almost non-existent. Especially in these quantities. Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology at Ecoo Beringen, the high purity of the recyclate broadens the application possibilities for recycled low density PE films (r-LDPE). Ecoo Beringen will set a new standard for r-LDPE. The subsequent material and energy hub created by the recycling plant and its neighbouring biosteam plant will create leverage for a local production industry with r-LDPE.

Today we are at a turning point. By creating local recycling capacity, Fost Plus ensures that Belgian household packaging material is recycled in Belgium and that the new secondary raw materials are used to support the local production industry. In order to continue to strengthen the industrial tissue, now there has to be constancy in policy. This allows us to focus on the objectives of the Fost Plus agreement (2019-2023) and to prepare what comes next. This is the way forward to transform Belgium into a recycling hub at the heart of Europe.

FIRST AID FOR RETURNING TO WORK

Your employees will need to break certain habits…

Ironing laundry in between meetings.

Giving presentations, pyjama-style. Exercising without being disturbed. Petting Felix as he sits on their lap.

But sorting PMD like they do at home?

That’s a habit everyone will keep.

Returning to work will take some adjusting for everyone. But sorting PMD is something we’ll keep doing in the workplace, just like at home. It’s not only mandatory: thanks to the new, detailed guidelines on how to sort PMD, it’s also easier than ever. And we’re o ering a welcome bonus to help you get started. What are you waiting for? Don’t forget: sorting is good, zero waste is even better!

Start sorting PMD at work.

More info at sorterenophetwerk.be

Together good sorting, better recycling