In 2023, as many as 2,800 companies were eligible for a welcome bonus for the sorting of PMD. That’s 800 more than the year before. The welcome bonus is an initiative of Fost Plus aimed at further integrating sorting practices into the workplace.
Companies are required to sort all the waste they generate, which may range from construction waste and industrial foils to food leftovers, cardboard and PMD. But that doesn't necessarily mean that this is being done everywhere yet. Fost Plus extends a helping hand to companies and encourages them to start sorting with a welcome bonus of 75 euros. Any company entering into a contract with an affiliated waste operator for PMD collection for the first time is entitled to receive this bonus. Within a period of five years, already 9,500 such companies benefited from it.
People are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of their own actions on the environment. There is a growing realisation that packaging isn’t waste but is transformed into new products through recycling. Just as sorting at home has become a habit, sorting outside the home and at work is now something we do without a second thought. But of course, in order to sort waste, the right infrastructure has to be present. With the welcome bonus, we are giving companies a helping hand.
Extra focus needed on quality
Last year 26,000 tonnes of PMD were collected outside the home. Most of this was collected from companies by private waste operators. Since this kind of PMD is often collected in containers, it is not always easy for the collector to carry out the necessary quality control. However, the quality of the collected PMD requires extra attention.
Top 5 sorting errors
1. Gas bottles
2. Batteries and devices containing batteries
3. Electrical and electronic appliances
4. Large industrial foils
5. Packaging items larger than 8 litres and large objects
The first three categories of sorting errors can be downright dangerous. They can cause fires or explosions in the PMD sorting centres, causing material damage to the facility and endangering the safety of employees. Large objects and packaging also pose a problem. Their size can cause the sorting machines to get blocked, since these machines are geared for smaller, household packaging.
If the collected PMD contains too many sorting errors, it will be rejected at the sorting centre or transfer station. In this case, the waste operator is entitled to recover these expenses from the customer. So it’s best to get it right the first time!
- Sorting PMD, we do it everywhere. Also in your company or organisation. Fost Plus helps you get started. With tips, advice and an approach tailored to specific sectors.