Can digital deposits work? Tests appear in Bobganland, Parcs de Haan Center and Winduin: we have no idea

At the end of last year, the Flemish government gave the green light to introduce deposits on plastic bottles and cans from 2025. Unlike other EU countries, where empty bottles must be returned to the store, the government favors digital collection. System. Although this will have to prove itself first. Tests were therefore carried out this fall in Bobganland, the Parcs de Haan and Windwen.

Today the Flemish waste company OVAM presents its final report on the pilot projects in the Flemish Parliament. the morning He already has the text in hand. What does it look like? There is no definitive answer to the question of whether digital deposits can work. For example, pilot projects show that digital deposits are “technically and technologically feasible,” that “no breach” of privacy has been identified, that the risk of fraud “appears to be manageable,” and that “the majority of users” are satisfied with the operation of the system.

Meanwhile, OVAM questions the effectiveness of digital deposits as a means of combating litter. This is what the experimental projects did not show. Although the figures from Bobbejaanland initially show a reduction in litter, after technical corrections it appears that no “clear effect” has been found. The same applies to the pilot project at Center Parcs. “Due to their limited scope and short duration, the pilot projects do not lead to a clear outcome,” OVAM wrote in its final report.

The pilot project at Wenduine turned out to be a complete failure. She added that statistics “on the footpaths examined in Windwyn indicate that these do not appear to be sensitive areas for litter.” “There was no waste of cans and bottles before and during the project, so no conclusions can be drawn here.”

4 billion

The idea behind digital deposits – promoted by recycling company Fost Plus and trade association Comeos, among others – is that plastic bottles and cans are given a code that must be scanned. Then they can go home in a blue suitcase. Or in a private public rubbish bin. They also receive a code. Once everything is checked properly, the deposit will be refunded via online banking. According to Fost Plus and Comeos, this is a way to avoid hassle. Otherwise, 4 billion packages would have to be returned to the store each year, she says. According to green NGOs, supermarkets do not want to install expensive collection machines.

Regarding accessibility, OVAM warns that “groups that do not have a smartphone, do not yet have sufficient digital skills or do not have a (private) bank account (e.g. young people, elderly people, homeless people, etc.)” should also be considered. . To prevent problems, it is necessary to provide additional physical collection points. This can happen on the street via special waste bins. Although Flemish cities and municipalities are radically against this: they fear inconvenience. Or in supermarkets, as in the classic collection system.

OVAM therefore appears to be leaning towards a hybrid collection system, where the strengths of digital collection (less difficult) are combined with the strengths of traditional collection (accessible). This literally means: “A digital deposit system, surrounded by a sufficient number of additional collection points, and other return scenarios should be considered.”

It is now up to Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) to submit a proposal to the Flemish government by the end of next week. Then the Christmas holidays begin. Currently Cd&v seems to prefer the traditional collection system and Open Vld for the digital collection system.