The “Ecoboni” law, as amended in December, now imposes a “packaging tax” on aluminum and steel beverage cans, as well as on glass, plastic, or paper cartons. In 2002, 96.5% of all metal packaging for the Belgian market was collected and recycled into new metal packaging, primarily through FOST Plus, that country’s Green Dot program.
Although drinks marketed in refillable bottles are exempted from the tax, manufacturers must be able to provide evidence those containers were reused more than seven times, according to a report from Apeal, the Assn. of European Producers of Steel for Packaging, Brussels, Belgium.
Meanwhile, Apeal reported that other countries are reassessing the need for taxes on NR containers. On Feb. 1, Denmark reduced its tax on beverage packaging by 80%. —AO
