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International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

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30.0 Product Taxes - Belgium<br />

30.1 Outline <strong>of</strong> <strong>Policy</strong><br />

Belgium was one <strong>of</strong> the first countries to introduce levies on environmentally<br />

damaging products. The initial aim was to influence producer and consumer<br />

behaviour. Taxes are now levied on:<br />

� beverage packaging,<br />

� disposable cameras and cutlery,<br />

� batteries,<br />

� ink,<br />

� glues and solvents, and<br />

� kitchen foil (see Table 30-1).<br />

However, the tax only applies if there is a reasonable alternative available on the<br />

market. Exemptions are given for disposable cameras, batteries, ink, glues and<br />

solvents where these are separately collected and treated in an environmentallysound<br />

way, or where are collected through a deposit-refund system and effectively reused.<br />

Table 30-1 Ecotax in Belgium<br />

Product Product<br />

Levy<br />

Levy<br />

Re-usable beverage packaging €1.41 /hectolitre<br />

Non re-usable beverage packaging €9.86 /hectolitre<br />

Batteries €0.5 /unit<br />

Disposable cameras €7.44 /unit<br />

Packages <strong>of</strong> certain types <strong>of</strong> glue for<br />

€0.62<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional use<br />

for every started quantity <strong>of</strong> 10 litres<br />

Packages <strong>of</strong> certain types <strong>of</strong> ink for<br />

€0.62<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional use<br />

for every started quantity <strong>of</strong> 2.5 litres<br />

Packages <strong>of</strong> certain types <strong>of</strong> solvent for<br />

€0.62<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional use<br />

for every started quantity <strong>of</strong> 5 litres<br />

Disposable plastic bags €3 /kg<br />

Disposable cutlery €3.6 /kg<br />

Kitchen foil (plastic), etc. €2.7 /kg<br />

Kitchen foil (aluminium), etc. €4.5 /kg<br />

Source: Gewone wet van 16 juli 1993 tot vervollediging van de federale staatsstructuur, Boek III<br />

Milieutaksen<br />

30.2 Where Has the <strong>Policy</strong> Been Applied and Why?<br />

The initial aim <strong>of</strong> the policy was to influence producer and consumer behaviour.<br />

However, the ecotax policy in Belgium has suffered considerable teething problems<br />

mainly due to political disputes and, as a result, has had to be adapted on several<br />

occasions. The levies were first introduced in the legislation on the reform <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Belgian state. In order to achieve a two thirds majority, which is needed in Belgium to<br />

realise a state reform, the Flemish and Walloon green parties have requested the<br />

515<br />

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Review</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Waste</strong> <strong>Policy</strong>: Annexes

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