🇧🇪Down stream Score - Belgium

Assessing the end-of-life of packaging

For packaging data in Belgium, work has been carried out with Fostplus to get closer to Belgian data on end-of-life waste.

Recyclable (A)

The recyclability of packaging is the first criterion taken into account in the Downstream score. This is the most virtuous end of life, as it transforms waste into a resource.

Unlike France, where some packaging is recycled differently depending on the commune, in Belgium recycling is the same throughout the country. If packaging can be recycled, it is considered to be 100% recyclable.

Biodegradable (B)

Packaging that decomposes in the natural environment is considered biodegradable. This is the case, for example, with wood, which is not recycled in France, but which is biodegradable.

Packaging that can be composted in an industrial environment is not considered here, as it is not systematically accepted in industrial composting facilities.

Incineration and landfill (C)

When packaging cannot be recycled, it is incinerated or landfilled.

When waste is incinerated, the energy generated by its combustion is used to supply the district heating network (hospitals, swimming pools, businesses, etc.), or converted into electricity.

When packaging is not incinerated, it is landfilled. This is the least favourable end of life, because in the long term it contributes to soil and water pollution.

Downstream score

To calculate the downstream score, points are awarded according to the packaging's end-of-life, from the most favourable option (recyclable) to the most unfavourable (incineration or landfill).

End of life	Ratio
Recyclable	1
Biodegradable	0.5
Incineration / Landfill	0

The downstream score corresponds to the sum of the points awarded. He expresses himself on 100.

$$score = A*1+B*0.5+C*0$$

$A$ the % of recyclable material $B$ the % of biodegradable material $C$ the % of material incinerated or landfilled

The sum of the percentages (A, B, C ) must always be equal to 100%.

Synthesis per material (downstream)

The classification of materials corresponds to the FostPlus classification.

	A recyclable	B biodegradable	C incinerated or landfilled	Downstream score
001 Glass	100	0	0	100
002 Paper-cardboard (≥ 85%)	100	0	0	100
002 Paper-cardboard (≥ 85%) - With FSC label	100	0	0	100
002 Paper-cardboard (≥ 85%) - From 100% recycled material	100	0	0	100
003 Steel (≥ 50%)	100	0	0	100
004 Aluminium (≥ 50% and ≥ 50μ)	100	0	0	100
005-01 PET – Bottles and flasks - Transparent colourless	100	0	0	100
005-01 Recycled 100% PET – Bottles and flasks - Transparent colourless	100	0	0	100
005-02 PET – Bottles and flasks - Transparent blue	100	0	0	100
005-03/011-04 PET - Bottle/flask - Transparent - other than colorless/blue/green	100	0	0	100
007/011-03 HDPE – Bottles, flasks and other rigid packaging	100	0	0	100
008 Beverage cartons	75	0	25	75
011-01 PP – Bottles, flasks and other rigid packaging	100	0	0	100
011-02 PS – Hard packaging, except for EPS	100	0	0	100
011-05 PET – rigid packaging other than bottles and flasks - Transparent	100	0	0	100
011-07 PE – Films	100	0	0	100
011-09 Other plastics – Films, except for compostable	100	0	0	100
011-06 PET – Bottles and flasks – Opaque	0	0	100	0
011-08 Other plastics – Hard packaging, except for compostable plastics and EPS	0	0	100	0
012 Composite materials in which paper-cardboard accounts for the greatest weight	0	0	100	0
013 Aluminium (<50µ) non-composite	0	0	100	0
014 Other plastic packaging – whether or not composite – where plastic accounts for the greatest weight, including compostable plastics and EPS	0	0	100	0
016 Wood, cork, textile, …	0	0	100	0
017 Composite packaging in which glass accounts for the greatest weight	0	0	100	0
018 Composite packaging in which steel accounts for the greatest weight	0	0	100	0
019 Pottery, ceramics, porcelain, …	0	0	100	0