Imminent ban of PET and can at events scrapped at last minute
At the last minute, the last Council of Ministers of the previous government scrapped the ban on PET and cans at events, and this at the request of the events sector. The sector is pleased that its concerns and the reality on the ground of having to implement this measure from 1 January 2025, on top of the commitments previously taken around reusable cups, were listened to.
Flemish government changes its decision
In 2023, the Flemish government provided stricter regulations on the use of reusable containers at events. From 15 June 2023, events were no longer allowed to use disposable materials to serve drinks, with the exception of PET bottles and cans if the organiser provided a system guaranteeing that at least 95% of those bottles and cans would be collected separately for recycling. From 1 January 2025, that exception would expire. As that provision proved to be unimplementable by that date by the entire events sector, the provision will be scrapped. To this end, the Flemish Government is amending in principle the decree establishing the Flemish regulation on sustainable management of material cycles and waste (Vlarema).
Zuhal Demir’s justification
In the note to the Flemish Government from former Flemish Minister for the Environment, Zuhal Demir stresses that the initial amending decree of 12 May 2023 wanted to tighten the use of reusable receptacles at events. The next phase would take effect on 1 January 2025. From then on, no drinks would be allowed to be served in PET bottles and cans at events in Flanders. This provision was dropped on 7 June 2024 as, according to the events sector, it is not yet implementable in practice.
The Flemish Government hereby reiterates the sector’s justification that some packaging currently sold in PET and cans exists only in these containers. Moreover, the developments of alternatives are currently insufficiently advanced or in certain cases are not simply possible to offer (e.g. approved tap water required). A ban on this would therefore in practice merely mean that the packaging would be poured into reusable cups. This would bring no environmental benefit. It is therefore preferable to remove this ban on PET bottles and cans to give more time for the industry to adapt further.
bron: https://beslissingenvlaamseregering.vlaanderen.be/documentview/665EC10D079ED7820208C8E9
Event sector is satisfied
Event Confederation, the umbrella confederation of the Belgian events sector, is satisfied. “Our sector is taking a lot of initiatives to organise events more sustainably. We are proud of that, but still too often too modest. However, the fact that we are satisfied with the removal of the ban on PET and can at our Flemish events in no way means that we do not want to do everything we can to go the extra mile. But the obligations imposed then have to deliver at least some environmental gain and that would not be the case here,” Christine Merckx stresses. “Even low-impact measures often cost our organisers handsomely. Having to unnecessarily pass on these extra costs to our visitors is the last thing we want. Our events should also remain accessible and affordable, both for current and future generations.”
