As Europe and Belgium lead the way in recycling innovation, the shift to a circular economy is gaining momentum. With EU regulations requiring deposit systems for beverage packaging, Belgium faces a critical question: how do we adapt our highly efficient collection service to meet these new standards? The choice lies between overhauling the current system or digitizing it to make compliance more user-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable. At the heart of this transition, innovation pilots are key to exploring these options. They provide a controlled space to test new ideas, refine strategies, and discover the most acceptable and impactful path forward in the journey toward circularity.
Belgium and Europe leading the charge in recycling innovation
The circular economy is a transformative shift in how we design, produce, and consume products. Moving away from the linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model, it focuses on eliminating waste and pollution, keeping materials in use, and regenerating resources. Europe and Belgium lead the way in PET and aluminum recycling, with Belgium achieving a remarkable 93,7% collection rate for PET bottles, well above the EU average. Most of these bottles are recycled domestically, with a significant portion used in closed-loop systems to create new bottles. Similarly, aluminum can recycling rates are high, with Europe leading globally in this effort. Recycling aluminum saves energy while maintaining quality, making it a key component in circular systems.
Europe and Belgium’s high recycling rates didn’t happen by chance, they’re the result of reliable collection systems, proactive industry efforts, and growing consumer awareness. Enhancing sorting, using more recycled materials in products, and continuing to educate the public will take these efforts to the next level. Focusing on PET and aluminum recycling is about creating a future with less waste, smarter resource use, and new economic opportunities. However, shifting to a truly circular economy is no small task. That’s where pilots come in, offering a practical way to test, learn, and improve.
Pilots in action: the Litterbits success story
Litterbits is a shining example of how technology can be harnessed to drive positive environmental change. This Belgian initiative by Twintag, Verhaert Strategic Innovation, and Cegeka, showcases that a digital deposit return system (DDRS) incentivizes recycling. Litterbits tackled inconveniences and inefficiencies like low return rates and public littering. Its success story began with a pilot project at Corda Campus in Hasselt, Belgium, demonstrating the feasibility of the system’s potential:
- High participation: Employees actively used the app and smart bins, boosting return rates
- Reduced litter: Beverage container waste on campus dropped significantly
- Valuable insights: The pilot captured valuable data on user behavior, recycling patterns, and system efficiency
Following this success, Litterbits expanded to other environments, including vacation parks and municipalities, while refining the system for inclusivity with diverse user groups.
3 steps to de-risk innovation with functional pilots
Functional pilots are the perfect way to test your circular business model in a real-world, controlled setting before committing to full-scale implementation. Innovation is tricky and new business creation is a complex process with many risks. As small-scale trials, our pilots offer you a safe space to experiment, collect valuable data, and learn from missteps without heavy financial stakes. Here’s why pilots are essential for a smooth circular transition:
1. Facing failure to find success: The path to circularity is paved with good intentions. Not every innovation works on the first try, and that’s okay. Pilots let you test assumptions, identify potential hurdles, and fine-tune your approach before scaling up, saving time and resources in the long run.
2. Nudging towards new behaviors: Circular models often ask consumers to change how they interact with products: joining take-back programs, using repair services, or embracing product-as-a-service models. Pilots help you explore what works, gather real-world feedback, and refine strategies to foster these new behaviors.
3. Conceptualizing and testing as a continuous journey: Transitioning to circularity isn’t a one-and-done effort, it’s an ongoing process of learning and adaptation. Pilots allow you to test different aspects of your model, gather meaningful data, and continually improve.
Functional pilots aren’t just a test run, they’re the foundation for sustainable, scalable success.
Innovation pilots, your key to sustainable business growth
Innovation comes alive when ideas turn into action, and functional pilots are the testing ground for connecting ambition to real-world impact. Starting small allows businesses to take calculated risks, refine their strategies, and build toward lasting circular success. Europe and Belgium’s strides in recycling highlight the power of collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and a shared commitment to sustainability. Yet, there’s still more to learn and adapt. Initiatives like Litterbits show how testing and improving with pilot projects in controlled environments can unlock scalable, inclusive solutions. The circular economy isn’t just an end goal, it’s an ongoing journey, and every pilot brings us one step closer to a sustainable future. It’s time to embrace this journey! Start testing, learning, and contributing to the circular economy today.
