Flanders continues to achieve high recycling rates for packaging materials. In 2023, an impressive 83.7% of plastic bottles and 94.1% of cans were collected and recycled, according to figures requested from the Flemish government by Flemish MP Sanne Van Looy (N-VA).
Flanders has been performing well in recycling for some time. The latest figures from 2023 indicate further improvements. The recycling rate for plastic bottles increased to 83.7% from 80.8% in 2022. Recycling of cans also rose from 93.3% in 2022 to 94.1% in 2023.
However, European calculations for cans do not account for materials recovered from ashes after incineration. Therefore, only figures for selective collection—which increased from 64.2% to 68.5%—can be used.
According to Environment Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V), these results stem from efforts such as expanding collections through the blue bag system, establishing new sorting centres, and continuously improving sorting processes.
Europe has set ambitious targets: by 2029, 90% of plastic bottles and metal packaging must be collected separately. If this goal is not met, a deposit return system will become mandatory.
