Belgium's first year of organised plastics packaging waste recovery and recycling was entirely successful, according to Belvaplast (Square Marie-Louise 49, B-1000 Brussels), the plastics industry-backed non-profit organisation which coordinates and oversees the national system. Recycling targets were well exceeded. An estimated 20% of plastic bottles used in Belgian hoseholds is expected to be recycled by the end of 1996. The system foresees an increase in recycling targets annually, and Philippe Huybrechts, director of Belvaplast, said 40% of bottles recovered will be recycled by the end of 1998. Bottle recycling is the focus of the first stage of Belgium's legislation designed to comply with the EU packaging directive, which was to be implemented in member states by July 1996. Other plastics wastes will follow.

Founded in 1995, Belvaplast's members include plastics manufacturers, as well as converters and their industry association Fechiplast (Square Marie-Louise 49, B-1000 Brussels), and two waste recycling companies, Indaver and Scoribel. The role of the organisation is to promote recovery, recycling and marketing of packaging wastes, in particular to help secure outlets for the recovered materials and obtain the best possible price. In addition to packaging wastes, Belvaplast will also coordinate recovery and recycling of electrical, electronic and automotive equipment under the forthcoming EU directive.