Brussels, March 18, 2024 – Almost three-quarters of Belgians (72%) are in favor of a deposit on cans and plastic bottles. This is evident from a large-scale study by Every Can Counts, a global initiative that also strongly encourages the recycling of cans in 21 countries around the world. “Belgians are ready for deposits on cans and plastic bottles!”, says David Van Heuverswyn, Director of Every Can Counts Global, “It is now up to politicians and companies to ensure a system that works.” That’s where the problem arises, because for the time being Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels have not managed to make the decision together. Will it be a classic deposit system via take-back devices, as has been successful for years in the Scandinavian countries, or a new but barely tested digital system, where the cans and plastic bottles are scanned with a smartphone before they end up in the blue PMD bag, or a combination? For more than half of Belgians (53%), the classic system appears to be the best solution.
Cans and plastic bottles cause a relatively large amount of litter in our country. According to figures from OVAM, they account for more than a third of the volume of litter. Reducing litter is therefore the main reason why Belgians want a deposit system on cans and plastic bottles.
Top 3 reasons for a deposit system on cans and plastic bottles:
- Reducing litter (74%)
- Every little bit helps to keep our planet livable, (45%)
- It works for glass, so why not for cans and plastic bottles (44%)
Classic versus digital
The research also shows that more than half of Belgians (55%) would recycle even more and better with a deposit system on cans and plastic bottles.
“Compared to other European countries, Belgium lags behind when it comes to deposits. However, correct recycling of cans is so important. After all, tin is infinitely recyclable and is therefore one of the most sustainable beverage packaging. The fact that it would encourage Belgians to hand in their cans and plastic bottles en masse has been a no-brainer for us for a long time.” – David Van Heuverswyn, Director of Every Can Counts Global.
A majority of Belgians (53%) seem to be in favor of a classic deposit system, such as that which already exists today for glass. A digital system, in which cans and plastic are scanned at home with a smartphone before they go into the blue PMD bag or a waste bin, is only preferred by 11%. “Understandable,” according to Van Heuverswyn, “The can and PET industry is far from ready to place QR codes on packaging.” 18% prefer a combination of both systems, whereby the QR code is scanned, for example, at a return point or at a return container.
A deposit system in the short term? Yes we can!
Although a majority of Belgians (55%) know that a deposit system would be introduced next year, only 42% believe that it will actually be there.
“Precisely because it has been talked about for years and there is still no concrete solution, people are losing confidence. Today we are at a tipping point. There is great support, both among policymakers and Belgians. I call on the regional governments to introduce a well-functioning deposit system as quickly as possible that is supported by the Belgian consumer,” said David Van Heuverswyn.
Methodology
Online research conducted by research agency iVOX on behalf of Every Can Counts between February 16 and 22, 2024 among 1,000 Belgians representative by language, gender, age and diploma. The maximum margin of error for 1,000 Belgians is 3.02%.