Brussels plans to reform its waste collection

Brussels residents could see their bin collection reduced under plans to reform the service across the region, RTBF reports.

The project, which aims to collect yellow bin bags (paper and cardboard) only every two weeks, is an initiative of Audrey Henry (MR), secretary of state in charge of waste management and cleanliness.

“The shift from weekly to bi-weekly collection of yellow bags is based on actual usage. Households put out their paper and cardboard on average every two weeks," explained Henry. "Maintaining a weekly frequency results in underutilised collection routes, unproductive mileage and both human and financial costs,” she added.

Furthermore, the second weekly collection of white bags (unsorted household waste) would be dropped in the municipalities where it still exists.

The Brussels secretary of state, however, announced an increase in organic waste (orange bags) collection in densely populated neighborhoods, with two collections per week. 

But the project is not yet set in stone as it still needs to be discussed with the unions and the staff of waste collection agency Bruxelles Propreté.

According to Henry, the reform should at least save money. Simulations by the agency reveal that 65 fewer garbage collectors would be required, enabling them to be assigned to other tasks. 

No timeline has yet been announced for its implementation. But according to RTBF, the reform is not expected to happen before 2027 or even the following year.

Although Bruxelles Propreté says it is ready to implement the new project, it proffered no further comment.

Cleanliness, a growing challenge for Brussels

Brussels has experienced considerabe criticism for its lack of general cleanliness, especially from foreigners visiting the capital.

This situation was not helped by Bruxelles Propreté staging a three-day social strike between 18 and 20 of March, which led to a disruption in waste collection throughout the region.

Only white, green, and orange (priority) bags were collected with residents asked by the agency to not put out blue and yellow bags. The situation was expected to return to normal within five to 10 days following the strike.

In reaction to the ongoing challenge of cleanliness in public spaces, the Brussels regional parliament launched a new deliberative commission on 26 March to address the topic. 

This commission exists since 2019 and is based on citizen proposals signed by at least 1,000 Brussels residents. If deemed admissible and the topic is approved, citizens are randomly selected to work alongside members of parliament. 

Together, 45 citizens and 15 MPs will listen to experts, debate and propose recommendations to improve cleanliness in Brussels. These proposals are then examined by the Brussels parliament in the hope that they can lead to concrete change.

Photo: ©Bruxelles Propreté Facebook page