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Waste Shipment Regulation

What’s changing for you

What’s changing under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation…

From 21 November 2026, the European Union will ban the export of non-hazardous plastic waste to non-OECD countries and significantly tighten controls on exports to OECD countries.

However, today, around 58% of commercial and industrial plastic packaging waste collected in Belgium is recycled outside Europe, with a significant proportion going to Asia. This reliance on external outlets will come to an abrupt end, severely limiting the sector’s room for manoeuvre.

A large proportion of these waste streams will therefore have to be processed in Europe, even though recycling capacities are already under strain (high energy costs, fragile profitability, idle production lines).

This increased pressure risks undermining the system’s overall balance: meeting your legal recycling targets whilst keeping costs under control is becoming significantly more complex.

3 practical implications for you:

1. Your legal recycling targets will be harder to meet

You will still be subject to high targets for plastic (55%).

2. Recycling will become more expensive

Less export and more processing within Europe will lead to higher costs, at a time when virgin plastic is often still cheaper.

3. Your Valipac reporting is changing

From 2027, you will need to report your plastics in greater detail, with differentiated fees reflecting the reality of recycling in Europe.

Gemini Photo Femme V2

How will Valipac ensure that recycling targets continue to be met?

Securing local recycling capacity

Against a backdrop where the imminent ban on exporting plastic waste to non-OECD countries is putting pressure on the collection and recycling of certain commercial and industrial packaging streams, Valipac has taken the initiative by seeking recycling partners within OECD member countries that have the necessary capacity to process these complex streams.

Thanks to this agreement, the recycling capacity required to process 6,000 tonnes of big bags will be secured in order to transform this waste into plastic pellets, which will then be reintroduced into new industrial applications.

funding the transition through tailored fees

From 2027, differentiated fees will fund a more robust local recycling system. The aim is to avoid market bottlenecks and maintain an effective and economically sustainable collective solution for your packaging waste.

The level of detail in plastic reporting will evolve to include eight distinct categories.

The fees for 2027 have not yet been finalised, but for certain types of plastic, the cost could in future be two to three times higher.

Your commercial and industrial plastic packaging: now in 8 categories

The breakdown in 8 categories applies to the 2026 reporting; please note that a different fee will be applied for each category (deposit for 2027)

Category 1 – Transparent / colourless film

For films without added colourants.

  • Transparent film, clear and see‑through.

  • Colourless film, sometimes slightly hazy, waxy or matt (typical for some PE types).

  • Film with a slight tint caused by recycled content, without intentionally added colourants (the shade comes only from the recyclate).

  • Labels or stickers are allowed (e.g. for transport or legal information).

Category 2 – Coloured or printed film

As soon as there is colour or printing, it belongs here.

  • Film with added colourants.

  • Printed film.

  • Film with dark pigments or carbon black.

  • Metallised film.

  • Multi‑layer films where the colour is influenced.

Category 3 – Woven packaging

Plastic packaging made from plastic threads in a woven pattern.

  • Big bags.

  • Woven sacks made from PP, PET or PVC.

Category 4 – Rigid packaging

Packaging that keeps its shape.

  • Bottles, flasks.

  • Drums, cans, tubs.

  • Crates, boxes, rigid containers.

Category 5 – Foamed packaging

Packaging made from plastic foam, with a cell structure.

  • Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).

  • EPP.

  • Foam inserts and protective foam parts.

Category 6 – Flexible packaging (non‑film)

Flexible material used for securing or strapping.

  • Plastic strapping made from PP or PET.

Category 7 – Other plastics

For everything that does not fit into Categories 1 to 6.

  • Atypical plastic packaging.

  • Special or mixed cases.

Category 7 – Non recyclable plastics

See underneath for the definition of non recyclable.

Non‑recyclable industrial plastic packaging

Fundamental principles of the recyclability of industrial plastic packaging – see the No Regret playbook.

The following are definitely not recyclable:

  1. Combinations of incompatible materials
  • PET/PE and PET/PP laminates
  • All laminates combined with an aluminium (barrier) layer
  • All laminates combined with polyamides representing more than 15% of the total packaging weight

2. Certain inks and adhesives (maximum thresholds)

  • More than 3% by weight of PU or acrylate‑based adhesives

  • More than 5% by weight of EVOH barrier layer

3. Labels

  • Labels based on PVC or PVDC

How can you minimise the impact on your costs?

Choose sustainable packaging →

✓ Your checklist

✓ Opt for ‘recyclable’ plastics:

transparent, single-material films, which are easier to recycle and yield a higher return → lower recycling fees.

✓ Avoid complex plastics:

limit the use of colours, additives and multi-layered materials, as these will be more expensive to recycle due to their complexity.

✓ Use Valipac’s tools:

use the design4recycling guides and assessments to identify quick wins (simplification, etc.).

✓ Plan ahead with your suppliers:

adapt your packaging now to meet future requirements (recyclability, recycled materials)