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Half a million ecocheques remain unused

21:26 03/06/2015

More than half a million ecocheques go unused in Belgium every year, according to a parliamentary question from CD&V’s Stefaan Vercamer to economy, employment and consumer affairs minister Kris Peeters. Vercamer advocates the introduction of a single electronic card for both meal- and ecocheques.

"Since ecocheques are valid for 24 months, the latest figures date back to 2012, when more than 500,000 ecocheques were expired or lost," Vercamer explains. "With each ecocheque worth up to €10, we’re quickly talking about millions of euros going to waste.”

According to Vercamer, ecocheques should in the future be issued in electronic form, such as a card that can also be used for meal vouchers.

The ecocheque system was introduced in 2009 to encourage the purchase of environmentally friendly products, such as bicycles or energy-efficient appliances. Since then, many employers distribute the cheques to their employees every year as an added benefit.

Written by Robyn Boyle

Comments

Mikek1300gt

How about we pay people with money?

Jun 4, 2015 16:56