Reuse Barometer
Opportunities for alternative packaging systems
RE-VRAC Belgium is the annual barometer for bulk and reuse in Belgium, a partnership between Fost Plus and ConsomAction. The study analyses the economic, social and operational development of bulk and reuse. It highlights the levers and challenges for reducing packaging waste and accelerating the transition to a circular economy. The results are based on a limited sample of innovative players in the sector. They serve as a basis for monitoring the market year after year.
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has applied since 12 August 2026. It is phasing in obligations on reuse and packaging-free sales.
The 2026 edition in brief
48 companies took part in the 2026 edition. The key findings:
- 84% of the companies surveyed are operational or scaling up. What is still missing is scale, standardisation and consumer buy-in.
- Bulk and reuse are moving closer together. The share of bulk retailers applying a deposit on reusable packaging rose from 24% to 45% in one year.
- With a post-paid or hybrid deposit, more than 90% of packaging comes back. Without a deposit, the return rate stays below 50% in half of the cases.
- Washing capacity is underused: half of the washing operators surveyed run at around 50% of their maximum capacity.
- 27% of Belgian respondents say they lack sufficient visibility on what extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes do for reuse. The European average is 13%.
What this means for Fost Plus
The results of the Belgian Barometer for Bulk and Reuse 2026 point to three areas where Fost Plus can play a role.
First, Fost Plus can help companies implement the PPWR provisions on reuse, such as the minimum number of rotations and the related reporting, once those requirements have been set. The barometer shows that a good system makes the difference: with a post-paid or hybrid deposit, more than 90% of packaging comes back. In this way, Fost Plus supports companies more actively in applying the regulation.
Second, Fost Plus can become an even stronger EPR point of contact for reuse players. Today, 27% of Belgian respondents say they lack sufficient visibility on what EPR schemes do for reuse, compared with a European average of 13%. Fost Plus can build on the expertise gained from initiatives such as Elimination Lab, Interpool and Repasys. As an EPR organisation, Fost Plus is the central point of contact for bringing projects and sectors together and for helping to shape pilot projects.
Third, Fost Plus can use its experience in sorting communication to reach citizens with messages about reuse as well. This is a logical step: Fost Plus already holds a unique position in the field of ‘what to do with packaging’. And the barometer shows that consumer buy-in is still one of the missing links today.