Brussels-City to increase weekend bin collections at peak periods

Overflowing bins are a common sight in Brussels, particularly in the city centre - but the City of Brussels is aiming to stop this nuisance by increasing bin collections every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during May, June, July, August and December.

This means that the capital’s 142 public bins will be emptied once more after 19.00 during these months, considered the busiest periods of the year. There will also be an extra service on the eve of public holidays including 1 November and 21 July.

The decision was made as, despite twice-daily collection by the city’s cleaning staff, rubbish remains on the pavements, alderman for finance and public cleanliness Anas Ben Abdelmoumen (Socialist) said.

An €86,500 budget has been allocated to select a private operator that will provide the extra collection service for a renewable period of one year. There will be an evaluation to determine if the programme will continue after that.

For Ben Abdelmoumen, this measure is above all a form of support for the city’s municipal cleaning teams, resulting in reduced workload and improved working conditions.