Article 5: Number of Sorting Errors in the Blue Bag Is on the Rise

Research conducted by Fost Plus points to a worrying trend: the number of sorting errors in Belgium’s Blue PMD Bag is increasing. By the end of 2024, a total of 14% of the collected waste was found to be incorrectly disposed of and did not belong in the PMD stream.

Although waste sorting is largely automated, human intervention remains necessary. As a result, sorting mistakes can have serious consequences for workers. When hazardous waste is incorrectly disposed of and enters a sorting facility, it can create dangerous situations, including explosions.

In addition to posing safety risks, sorting errors also make recycling less efficient. This is reflected in the costs: incorrect sorting costs society hundreds of millions of euros every year.

As the federation representing beverage carton manufacturers, ACE Belgium therefore calls for greater attention to proper waste sorting. Beverage cartons are fully recyclable, but this is only possible if they are disposed of correctly and end up in the right collection stream. We would therefore like to reiterate the sorting guidelines: plastic packaging, metal packaging, and beverage cartons belong in the Blue Bag.

If you are unsure about how to sort a particular item, visit www.bettersorting.be for clear and reliable sorting information.

Sources:

• https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/fr/2025/02/25/fost-plus-constate-une-hausse-des-erreurs-de-tri-dans-les-sacs-b/
• https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/02/25/fost-plus-ziet-stijging-van-sorteerfouten-in-blauwe-zak/#:~:text=De%20basisregel%20is%20nochtans%20eenvoudig,dan%20even%20op%20betersorteren.be