WRAP launches the Textiles Collection Transition Programme, with initial funding from Next, Primark and Tesco. It aims to deliver an industry blueprint by spring 2027 and has published its first baseline report, “Transformative Practice in Textiles Collection.”
A study by EUROPEN, the European association, shows that recycling performance depends not on market structure but on the speed and cost efficiency of four decisions: eco-modulation of fees, nationwide coverage, sorting facilities, and financial transparency. In Belgium, Fost Plus serves as the single producer responsibility organization (PRO) for household packaging. The recycling rate for flexible plastic packaging reached 76%, compared with an EU average of just 13.1% over the same period; between 2020 and 2021, the share of plastic processed domestically rose from 9% to 75%.
Belgium’s Constitutional Court rejected Fost Plus’s request to suspend the Interregional Cooperation Agreement (ICA Litter), finding no merit in its claim that paying the waste tax would cause irreparable harm. Fost Plus said it respected the ruling and would fulfill all obligations arising from the decision while the case is heard on its merits. It expects to receive the authorities’ first assessment notice soon and to invoice the relevant members.
Verpact responded to EenVandaag’s report on deposit return points in the Netherlands, saying it conflated the figures for “locations” and “deposit return points.” As of July 1, 2026, Verpact had registered 9,900 deposit return points, and the number has now grown to more than 10,000. These include supermarket deposit machines; machines at stations and leisure venues; standalone return machines at places such as gas stations; deposit return shops; and staffed return points at sports associations, among other locations.
The Dutch packaging EPR organization Verpact announced additional rate discounts for companies that choose European recycled plastics. From 2027, the discount will also apply to drop-in materials such as bio-PE, bio-PP and bio-PET.
Dutch packaging producer responsibility organization Verpact welcomes the minister’s proposed new measures for the deposit return system. It says balanced collection obligations for retailers selling cans and bottles subject to a deposit will help meet statutory collection targets, while ensuring the requirements are feasible and cost-effective for small businesses.
In May and June, IOK Afvalbeheer and Fost Plus ran a positive PMD sorting campaign in the Kempen region. More than 14,000 households voluntarily agreed to have their sorting checked, and the vast majority did perfectly. The campaign used rewards rather than fines to encourage participation. About 10% of the bags inspected still contained minor sorting errors, such as non-packaging plastics, packaging that had not been emptied, and single-material blister packs.
The Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) have jointly published the 2026 Minimum Standard for the Recyclability of Packaging, which is used to assess the recyclability of packaging designs. Results are expressed as percentages. Users need to provide only a small amount of information, such as materials, design parameters, and their weights. All materials are assessed using the same method, with no bonuses or deductions favoring particular materials.
Why selected:German authorities have published the 2026 minimum standards for packaging recyclability, helping sellers understand the assessment method and PPWR transitional rules.