Major retailers trial reusable mushroom packaging in Belgium

A pilot project testing reusable packaging for fresh produce has been introduced in Mechelen, marking what is described as the first large-scale initiative of its kind in the country.

Since April 2026, consumers in the city have been able to purchase mushrooms in reusable trays, which can be returned to participating stores in exchange for a €0.30 deposit refund. The scheme forms part of the REPASYS project, which is designed to assess the feasibility of reusable packaging systems for fresh food products.

The initiative brings together six major retail chains — Albert Heijn, Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Delhaize and Lidl — alongside a wider group of around 15 partners spanning production, logistics and waste management. Among them is Fost Plus.

Each tray is equipped with a QR code based on GS1 standards, enabling individual tracking throughout its lifecycle. This allows participating organisations to gather data on return rates, consumer behaviour and logistical performance, with the aim of evaluating system efficiency and identifying opportunities for expansion to additional products or regions.

Between uses, the trays are cleaned through industrial processes before being returned to circulation.

What makes Repasys interesting to us is the combination of the project’s ambition and the simplicity of the system.

Uniform packaging, a clear deposit, and returns at any participating store: these are precisely the conditions needed to remove barriers to reuse. The data we collect will help us advise our members on what works and what doesn’t, and on the conditions necessary to move forward.

Elke Gijsbrechts, senior sustainable packaging expert at Fost Plus.

The project is taking place against the backdrop of evolving European regulation. Under the forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), single-use plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables is set to be restricted by 2030. Insights from the pilot are expected to contribute to industry understanding of how reusable systems could support compliance with these requirements.