The transition to more sustainable packaging systems is taking shape in Belgium with the recent launch of a large-scale pilot project on reusable packaging for fruit and vegetables. The initiative, coordinated by Fost Plus and supported by various retail partners, is testing in real-world conditions how reuse can help reduce packaging waste.
The project initially focuses on reusable trays for items such as mushrooms. Consumers pay a small deposit and can return the packaging to the shop after use. The packaging is then collected, cleaned and put back into circulation. By using standardised packaging and digital tracking, the aim is to gain insight into return rates, turnover and consumer behaviour.
The project is supported by the REPASYS consortium, which includes Fost Plus, Flanders' FOOD and Pack4Food. Six major retailers – Albert Heijn, Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Delhaize and Lidl – are taking part in the pilot in Mechelen, where the system is being tested in real-world retail conditions.
This initiative is part of a broader trend in which recycling alone is no longer sufficient. In addition to optimising recycling processes, the focus is increasingly shifting towards waste prevention and reuse. This trend is partly driven by European policy developments, including the planned Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which aims, among other things, to limit the use of certain single-use packaging for fruit and vegetables by 2030.
At the same time, the transition to reusable systems also presents significant challenges. Setting up an efficient system requires not only adapted packaging, but also well-organised logistics for collection, transport and cleaning. Furthermore, success depends to a large extent on consumers’ willingness to return packaging effectively.
Another point to consider is the scale at which such systems operate. Collaboration between different retailers is essential to achieve sufficient volumes and standardisation. At the same time, the pilot phase has yet to demonstrate the extent to which the system is economically viable and environmentally beneficial in the longer term. Factors such as the number of rotations per package and the impact of transport and cleaning play a crucial role in this regard.
The pilot project can therefore be seen as an important step in a broader search for future-proof packaging solutions. Whilst recycling has been the focus for many years, reuse seems to be gradually becoming a fully-fledged complement. In the coming years, further evaluations will need to determine which combination of measures is most effective in structurally reducing the environmental impact of packaging.
