What if we not only sorted and recycled better, but also managed the transport of waste more intelligently? With the project 'PMD over water', EcoWerf and its partners are taking an important step in that direction. Since March 2026, a large part of PMD waste is no longer transported by road, but by waterway. An innovation that benefits both the environment and efficiency.
Fewer trucks, fewer CO₂ emissions
EcoWerf collects PMD waste from 483,000 residents across 28 municipalities in Flemish Brabant. The waste intermunicipal Interrand does the same in Hoeilaart, Overijse and Tervuren.
Today, 80% of that collected PMD waste is transported by ship to Indaver's processing centre in Willebroek. The impact is clear:
- one ship replaces up to 10 trucks or 25 collection vehicles
- 2,320 truck journeys avoided per year
- a saving of 127 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year
By shifting waste transport from road to water, we reduce not only emissions, but also traffic pressure.
This project is built on a well-thought-out logistics approach. The PMD waste is first compacted using a custom-built installation, reducing its volume by two thirds and allowing more waste to fit in a single container. The containers and the ship have also been specifically adapted to make loading and transport as safe and efficient as possible. The result is a streamlined journey from collection to recycling.
After transport, the PMD waste is sorted into 15 distinct material streams. No less than three quarters is recycled in Belgium into new raw materials, such as plastic pellets. Efficient transport is therefore a crucial link in the entire recycling chain.
Collaboration as the key to success
'PMD over water' is the result of a strong collaboration between EcoWerf, De Vlaamse Waterweg, Indaver, Fost Plus and OVAM. Together, they invest in innovative solutions to make waste management more sustainable — not only in processing, but across the entire chain.
EcoWerf aims to eventually transport half of all collected waste by waterway, as part of the broader ambition to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 40% by 2030.
Sustainable waste management doesn't stop at sorting
At Fost Plus, we have long looked beyond collection and recycling alone. Transport, logistics and collaboration also play an important role in making the chain more sustainable. Projects like 'PMD over water' show how innovation can make the difference.
By sorting correctly, you help make high-quality recycling possible, enable more efficient transport and processing, and contribute to a more sustainable system.
Every step in the chain counts: from sorting at home to transport and recycling.