The Cmartlife project implements the Flemish waste management policy, paying specific attention to speeding up and reinforcing the Plastics Action Plan. This is achieved with innovative and effective approaches that prevent the loss of recyclable plastic in household and industrial waste and that support the close cooperation between all partners in the value chain. The ultimate goal is to achieve a 15% reduction in residual waste by 2027.
Project actions focus on closing material loops (by recycling and reusing), slowing the loops (by increasing product lifespans) and shrinking the loops (by using fewer raw materials). Knowledge and data gathering are an ongoing task.
In practical terms, the project partners aim to set up scalable actions at the Flemish level that:
- encourage more efficient use of plastic
- avoid (plastic) litter
- support a sustainable recycling market for plastics
- position recycled plastic as a valuable raw material.
Within Cmartlife, Fost Plus is focusing on actions that promote the collection of packaging waste out of home in order to increase the capture rate and reduce the amount of packaging in litter. In addition, with the construction of new sorting and recycling centres we are fostering the transformation of Belgium into a circular hub at the heart of Europe. Thanks to our role as a player on the ground, we can report efficiently on the achievements in these two areas.
The project dovetails with the European Waste Framework Directive, the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy, the Circular Economy Action Plan 2020 (as part of the European Green Deal), the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the Landfill Directive, the Waste Incineration Directive and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation.
For more information about Cmartlife, see the website.