Valipac

Valipac is a Belgian non-profit organization founded in 1997 by the industry to collectively manage extended producer responsibility (EPR) for industrial and commercial (C&I) packaging. As the first European organization dedicated specifically to C&I packaging, its core mission is to help businesses meet their legal recycling obligations for packaging introduced into the Belgian market.

Key Functions of Valipac

• Registration and Reporting
  Valipac monitors and records the quantities and types of packaging waste generated by companies, ensuring compliance with government regulations through accurate reporting.

• Financial Contributions
  Member companies contribute financially to Valipac, which allocates these funds to support waste collection and recycling initiatives.

• Support and Guidance
  Valipac advises businesses on waste reduction strategies and sustainable packaging management, promoting a circular economy.

Incentives for Sustainable Packaging

To encourage the use of recyclable materials, Valipac applies a tiered fee system:

• No fee for reusable packaging
• Highest fee for non-recyclable packaging
• Average fee for plastic packaging
• Lower fee for recyclable packaging (excluding plastics)

Impact and Achievements

In 2023, Valipac reported a 90.9% global recycling rate for industrial packaging, with 698,000 tonnes recycled and 3,475,000 tonnes of reusable packaging in circulation. The organization currently serves 6,200 customers across Belgium.

By working collaboratively across the value chain, Valipac plays a crucial role in strengthening and expanding the circular economy for industrial packaging.

GOVERNANCE

VALIPAC, founded in 1997, is a non-profit organization registered under Belgian law, serving as the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for commercial and industrial (C&I) packaging waste. It is owned by a combination of various professional federations and major producers (packers/fillers) that are subject to Belgium’s take-back obligation for packaging waste.

The governance structure of VALIPAC is led by a Board of 39 members, including 31 directors from obligated industries, 3 representatives of unpackers, 4 members from waste management companies, and the Managing Director. Strategic decision-making is further supported by an Executive Committee, Financial Committee, and Remuneration Committee, while stakeholder engagement is facilitated through several Working and Advisory Groups focused on operations, trading, and circularity.

Although there is no dedicated Fee Determination Committee, the Board and General Assembly oversee fee-related decisions. The organization operates under a Code of Conduct, ensuring ethical compliance and accountability. In Belgium, VALIPAC is one of only two PROs, covering the C&I packaging sector, alongside a separate PRO for household packaging waste.

Awareness raising on plastic film sorting

For several years now, Valipac has been organising awareness campaigns aimed at boosting the sorting of plastic packaging films. Valipac’s objective is to encourage companies to use plastic bags for the collection of packaging films and to have them collected by an operator affiliated with Valipac.

What does this campaign consist of?

Companies who recently started sorting paper/cardboard receive a “starter kit” from Valipac consisting of 3 transparent collection bags (made from 100% recycled material), an information leaflet, and a poster.

Other companies receive an e-mail with the possibility to order this kit for free on the Valipac website.

Every year, Valipac makes more than 25,000 companies aware of the need to sort plastic packaging films.

Valipac actively promotes packaging waste prevention in line with Article 23 of its operating license, which requires an action plan to reduce at least 5% of non-returnable packaging placed on the market by its clients. A key aspect of this prevention strategy is improving waste sorting at the source, as studies show that 50% of residual waste from businesses consists of materials that could have been recovered through better sorting.

By properly separating wood, plastic, paper, cardboard, and organic waste, businesses can free up nearly half the volume of their residual waste containers. Valipac encourages companies to optimize waste sorting and ensures that materials collected by affiliated waste management companies are handled in compliance with regulations. Additionally, businesses benefit from bonuses for sorting industrial packaging waste.

To support companies in this process, Valipac provides expert guidance on waste sorting and offers access to a dedicated platform (available in French and Dutch), where clients can find essential information and ask questions about best practices for waste management. Through these efforts, Valipac strengthens the circular economy by maximizing resource recovery and minimizing waste generation.

Tel: +32 2 456 83 10
E-mail: administration@valipac.be
Web: www.valipac.be