Fost Plus has published the Green Dot rates for the upcoming year in July. These rates apply to all household packaging placed on the market in 2026. Below, we outline the main changes in the rates and updates to the declaration process.
The Green Dot rates are recalculated each year based on the budgeted costs for the collection, sorting, and recycling of each material. Revenue from the sale of materials is, of course, deducted.
Evolution in line with actual costs
The 2026 rates are strongly influenced by rising costs for collection and sorting, fluctuations in material prices, and contract renewals. We also continue to invest in the development of new recycling solutions and in the post-sorting of residual waste streams to recover as many materials as possible. In doing so, we help our members meet increasingly ambitious recycling targets. In addition, from declaration year 2026 onwards, any financial reserves will be recorded per material type. This allows them to be used in the future to mitigate significant fluctuations in the respective rates.
Pads and capsules now considered packaging
The new European regulation PPWR comes into force on 12 August 2026 and will already have an impact on your declaration. From that date onwards, the following products will be classified as packaging. All quantities placed on the market after this date must be declared to Fost Plus:
• Coffee pads, tea bags and fruit and vegetable stickers. Compostable variants (that meet EN13432 standards) will be subject to a specific tariff reflecting their collection via organic waste. Non-compostable variants, which will be banned from the European market from 2028 onwards, will be charged the highest rate.
• Drink capsules for tea, coffee, or other beverages. These are the rigid capsules used in machines and collected via the blue PMD bag. Aluminium and plastic capsules will have their own categories and respective rates. Capsules made from compostable plastics will fall under the non-recyclable category.
Highest rate applies to all obstructive packaging
On 31 December 2025, the last derogations for obstructive packaging will expire definitively. These derogations were granted by the Interregional Packaging Commission to companies transitioning to recyclable alternatives. As of 1 January 2026, all obstructive packaging placed on the market will, without exception, be subject to the highest rate.
What do the new rates mean for your company?
With the rate list available on our website, you can already estimate the financial impact on your company. In MyFost, a specific report is also available (Report MFRM03 – overview per packaging sheet), which allows you to simulate your 2026 contribution. In our webinar, we discuss a number of changes and evolutions in more detail.
- Overview of the Green Dot rates for all packaging materials.