New Bans on Single-Use Products

The Royal Decree of May 25, 2024, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on July 5, 2024, partially transposes the EU directive aimed at reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastic products. The main objectives are to limit the market availability of these products, increase their recycled plastic content, and prevent the loss of recyclable materials.

The text introduces several bans:

• Rigid Single-Use Packaging: Food intended for immediate consumption can no longer be packaged in partially or entirely plastic containers, such as fry trays or dessert cups.
• Single-Use Plastic Products: Certain products, such as toothpicks, plastic skewers, and laminated advertising cards, are banned due to their easy dispersion in the environment and poor degradability.
• Plastic Films for Advertising: Plastic packaging for unaddressed advertising prints is also prohibited.
• Plastic Cups: The sale of beverages in single-use plastic cups for immediate consumption is banned.

The decree mandates a minimum recycled plastic content for certain products to encourage the use of recycled materials.

The measures will be implemented progressively, with the first bans effective from January 5, 2025. For example, the use of plastic films for advertising prints will be restricted to a 15 cm wide strip from this date.

This new regulation aims to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics by promoting the use of recycled materials and restricting the commercialization of easily dispersible and non-recyclable plastic products.