Belgium has reportedly initiated a pilot programme, focused on turning crisp packets and other snack wrappers into new packaging suitable for food use.

Belgium is the first country in Europe to carry out a large-scale test of this kind of recycling project for snack packaging, according to Belga News Agency, citing non-profit organisation Fost Plus.

The scheme relies on an unseen watermark placed on plastic packs.

The marking, comparable to a QR code, enables sorting equipment to recognise food-related packaging and keep it apart from other plastic refuse.

At sorting facilities handling material collected through the nationwide PMD [plastic packaging, metal packaging, and drinking cartons] system, cameras detect the watermark and send the packaging into the appropriate recycling flow.

Fost Plus said this separation matters because recycled plastic intended for food packaging is subject to stringent safety requirements.

The pilot involves large food groups, including Mondelez, Ferrero and PepsiCo.

If the trial works, the approach may support Belgium in meeting upcoming European requirements on recycled content in food packaging and in supporting the domestic recycling industry.

Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, plastic food packaging must include at least 10% recycled material by 2030.

Last year, Belgium tightened its packaging waste rules and called on companies to follow Extended Producer Responsibility (REP) requirements.

Created by the EU in 1994 and put into effect in the country in 1997, the rules make producers and importers responsible for the entire lifecycle of packaging.

Firms active in Belgium are required to file yearly declarations covering the packaging they place on the market, including its volume, category and recyclability.

Businesses that market more than 300 tonnes of packaging or 100 tonnes of packaged products must report their packaging data each year.