Belgium’s food industry federation, Fevia, warned on Wednesday about the potential impact of a proposed litter tax in Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia.
Fevia reports that the tax could amount to €102 million, causing Belgians to pay three to four times more than neighbouring countries.
Originating from the European Single Use Plastic Directive, the proposal is accompanied by new European packaging regulations which could force companies into making significant investments, Fevia claims.
The federation is concerned this tax will drive more consumers to shop across borders. “Extreme tax pressure on beverage packaging is already a major reason for the increase in cross-border shopping,” said Bart Buysse, CEO of Fevia. “In 2024, €747 million worth of food and drinks were bought across the border, a 37% rise compared to 2022. The federal initiative to reduce cross-border shopping by lowering the federal packaging tax in 2027 will be entirely negated by this move.”
Fevia fears the tax will impose unforeseen costs on companies for products already on the market, and they worry that Fost Plus, a waste management firm, will “unfairly bear the full burden of litter costs.”
Trade federation Comeos echoes these concerns. Both Fevia and Comeos have reiterated their proposal, previously presented to past governments: “Start with a lump sum of no more than €30 to 35 million, aligning with our neighbouring countries,” they suggest.
