Page 28 - Social_Sustainable consumerism

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Mainresults:
• 2,163,370,953 packages have been returned since 2016.
• 56 000 tonnes of material have been collected since 2016, equal to 6 Eiffel Towers.
• 97% of consumers are satisfied with the system.
• 97% of the population claimed the desposit system is neccessary.
• 93% of consumers admitted that the introduction of such a system encouraged them to treat their waste
more responsibly.
• The 2025 targets set by the Lithuanian Government have already been reached and surpassed.
• Since the start of the system Lithuania has prevented 152 400 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

More about this best practice

Case 2. Eco-vouchers. Sustainable consumption, including second-hand and refurbished goods

Eco-vouchers were introduced in Belgium by the social partners through collective agreement.
Eco-vouchers can only be used to purchase, in Belgium, environmentally-friendly goods and services
included in an exhaustive list annexed to that agreement. Thatlistcontains 3 categories:

• EcologicalGoods&Services
• SustainableMobility&Leisure
• Re-use, recycling, repair and waste prevention

The eco-vouchers can also be used for purchasing re-used, recycled products or products made from
recycled or biodegradable materials, second-hand products or repaired goods, rechargeable batteries or
eco-friendly lamps. Maintenance and repairing costs can also be paid with eco-vouchers.

Every two years, the list of eligible products is evaluated to keep up with ecological developments.
Eco-vouchers are issued by Belgian firms through a voucher issuer (represented by Vouchers Issuers
Association). Currently, approximately 1.8 million employees receive eco-vouchers and 62% of
eco-vouchers are distributed in electronic form.

Mainresults:
• A study of Hasselt University(ViaBelgium, s.f.) carried out at the request of VIA in collaboration with
Indiville shows a positive impact on the consumption behaviour of the beneficiaries of eco-vouchers since
more than half of them are more sensitive to environmental interests.
• The very same study also highlights that due to the use of eco-vouchers, families’ energy savings amount
between EUR 6.89m and EUR 15.70m.
• Another study of CO2Logic, also carried out at the request of VIA, concludes that eco-vouchers also have
a positive impact on the climate by contributing substantially to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

More information about Eco-Cheques.