Some Brussels residents unhappy with new rubbish collection procedures

Bruxelles-Propreté’s new procedures for white and orange bin bags are not proving popular for some residents, reports RTBF.

Since 15 May, Brussels residents in 10 municipalities must put certain food waste into orange compost bin bags and not the previously-used white ones.

The measure stems from the European obligation to sort organic waste from 2024. Another change that causes problems when temperatures rise is that white and orange bags used to be collected twice a week, but has been reduced to once a week.

For people living in small flats without access to a cellar, balcony or garden, taking rubbish out only once per week has proved problematic. Vanessa, who lives with a new-born baby in a 60m2 flat on the third floor of a small building, has experienced more and more nappies piling up along with an increase in a certain odour. 

Vanessa posted on Facebook to see if anyone had a solution. Despite receiving over 100 replies, none were helpful in resolving her current situation. “Some suggested that I switch from disposable nappies to reusable ones. The problem is that it will take up more of my time and increase costs,” she explained.

Others expressed similar complaints. “Keeping an orange bag inside for a week is really not viable in summer, and neither is a white bag, because even if the orange bag is compulsory, it will always contain some food leftovers, such as fish bones,” said one poster.

Bruxelles-Propreté is well aware of the difficulties for certain residents, said spokesman Adel Lassouli, pointing out that it will take time to adapt to the new collection system. “One of the main aims of this reform is to reduce the number of kilometres travelled by each rubbish truck, particularly to avoid any nuisance. It also means that the bin bags aren’t left out on the street for long. That’s why we’ve introduce evening collections.”

Although it's still too early to fully assess the new collection system, Bruxelles-Propreté said the new procedures were already fully integrated. One in two households has already downloaded the new rubbish collection calendar.

The new measure currently applies to those living in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Uccle, Auderghem, Watermael-Boitsfort, Jette, Ganshoren, Saint-Agatha-Berchem, Evere, Haren and Neder-Over-Heembeek.

More information here on the new collection system.

Photo: © Bruxelles-Propreté