White bin bags to be collected weekly in some parts of Brussels

Brussels' white rubbish bags for non-recyclable household waste are to be collected only once a week in some less densely populated areas as part of a revised waste management plan by state secretary Audrey Henry (MR), which comes into force at the end of 2027.

The planned reduction in collections for white bags has now been confirmed after the plan was first announced in March.

“Brussels is one of the last European cities where we ask people to litter their pavements by putting out their household waste several times a week,” Henry said.

Following consultations with Brussels’ 19 municipalities, an exception is being made for the most densely populated neighbourhoods.

Collections of white bags will still take place twice a week in many parts of Anderlecht, Brussels-City, Ixelles, Etterbeek, Koekelberg, Molenbeek, Schaerbeek, Saint-Josse, Saint-Gilles and Forest.

An exact list of the neighbourhoods where collections will remain unchanged has not yet been drawn up.

The original idea was to move to two collections per week for the orange bag (organic waste) in some neighbourhoods, but ultimately a harmonised system was chosen whereby virtually all waste is collected once a week. 

This also applies to paper and cardboard, contrary to previous plans to reduce collection of yellow bags to twice a month.

The waste management plan includes €4 million towards the installation of about 120 permanent waste containers, mainly underground. 

Brussels’ sanitation agency Bruxelles Property is aiming for the new system to come into effect in either September or October 2027.

Trade unions are in discussion with management regarding the impact of the new plan.