Brussels, 20 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – One kilogram in every seven collected through Flanders’ blue PMD bags was incorrectly sorted in 2025, according to figures highlighted by Flemish MP Sanne Van Looy. Flanders PMD sorting errors accounted for 13.5% of collected material, showing that incorrect items remain a significant problem for the region’s recycling system.
23,759 tonnes of incorrect waste collected
Flanders collected 176,126 tonnes of waste through blue PMD bags last year. Of that total, 23,759 tonnes consisted of material that did not belong in the PMD stream.
PMD is intended for plastic packaging, metal packaging and drinks cartons. Fost Plus says common incorrect items include batteries, electrical equipment, toys, textiles and packaging that has not been emptied. These materials can interfere with recycling and increase processing costs.
The latest figure represents a slight improvement compared with the 14% sorting-error rate recorded in 2024. Earlier Flemish parliamentary documents show the rate had risen from 10% in 2021 to 14% in 2024 following the expansion of the blue-bag collection system.
Van Looy calls for better PMD sorting
Van Looy, an N-VA member of the Flemish Parliament, said the broader PMD system was delivering more recyclable material but that sorting quality still needed attention.
“The expanded PMD bag provides additional material for recycling and keeps more waste out of the incinerator,” Van Looy said, adding that the figures showed “there is still room to improve sorting quality”.
The figures come as waste organisations continue efforts to clarify which materials belong in blue bags and encourage households to check questionable items before disposal.
Fost Plus warns incorrect waste creates risks
Fost Plus reported in July that PMD collection across Belgium reached a record level in 2025. The amount collected per resident increased from 14.4kg in 2016 to 26.1kg in 2025 following the introduction of expanded sorting rules.
However, unsuitable items create problems beyond recycling efficiency. Batteries and electronics can increase fire risks during collection and processing.
Valerie Bruyninckx, Corporate Affairs and Reputation Manager at Fost Plus, said in a 4 September update: “Incorrectly sorted waste in PMD means that we can recycle less effectively and can even cause dangerous situations.”
Local campaigns target sorting mistakes
Recent initiatives suggest targeted education can improve results. Fost Plus and IOK Afvalbeheer said more than 14,000 households participated in a PMD sorting campaign in the Kempen region during May and June. Fewer than 10% of the participating bags contained even minor sorting mistakes, although that result applies specifically to participating households rather than Flanders overall.
Typical mistakes found during those inspections included plastic toys, buckets and slippers, packaging that had not been emptied and some medicine blister packs.
Flanders continues efforts to improve recycling
The latest Flanders PMD sorting errors figures indicate improvement from 2024 but leave more than one-eighth of collected material incorrectly sorted.
Fost Plus says behavioural change requires sustained action and has been working with local waste organisations on bag inspections, rejection stickers, collection-team training and public information campaigns.
The focus now remains on reducing unsuitable material while maintaining the higher recycling volumes achieved since Belgium expanded its PMD collection rules.
