Belgians are world leaders in recycling

6 May 2005

BRUSSELS – Some 92 percent of Belgians recycle, according to a report out on Friday.

La Derniere Heure reported that FOST Plus, which collects Belgian waste for sale abroad, recorded 60 kg of household packaging and 48 kg of paper per inhabitant in 2003.

More than 80 percent of all packaging waste was recycled in the same year, said the company, making Belgium the world’s number one recycler.

In the United States only one state – California – organises the recycling of waste, FOST spokesman Joseph Michaux told French-language daily La Derniere Heure.

“Belgium is really way ahead of all other countries,” he added.

The sale of materials destined for recycling helps finance collection in Belgium. But most of the €100 million needed annually to recycle comes from the ‘green dot’ tax scheme on packaging companies.

This means collection and recylcing costs are really met by consumers – at a cost of €10 annually per inhabitant.

Subject: Belgian news