Sorting waste in Brussels

From May 2023, regulations related to waste sorting will be changed in Brussels. Even greater efforts will be made to collect household waste separately. To comply with these changing rules, some things will change. Orange containers for organic waste will be installed in all buildings (some buildings already have them). This will allow additional sorting. Attached you will find a brochure explaining how to use the existing containers correctly and what can be thrown in the new orange container.

By sorting correctly, we can also save on waste disposal costs. According to our own figures, just by sorting correctly, we can save on average 15% in all our Brussels buildings compared to the previous closed financial year. We can go even further in the future. Previously, organic waste simply ended up in the residual waste container. If we use the orange container optimally, we can ensure that we will need fewer black containers. Since the orange container is free and the black container paid for, the savings can thus become even greater. Of course, the financial benefit is not the only reason why we want to sort properly.

According to figures from Bruxelles Propreté, food waste makes up 40 per cent of what used to be residual waste together. So a large proportion of the waste that used to end up together in the black or grey container can now be further separated and ends up in the orange container. By collecting food waste separately, it can be converted into biogas, and then into electricity and heat. This can further contribute to improving our environment.

Companies that collect waste also have to comply with increasingly strict regulations. Waste that is not properly sorted will not be taken away by the rubbish trucks. This abandoned waste will not improve the cleanliness of the building. Odour nuisance will then also be unavoidable. We then have no other option but to have this waste removed by a private cleaning crew or handyman company. This will entail additional costs, which can amount to several hundred euros with each intervention. All waste for which there is no container in the building (e.g. bulky household waste, electrical, etc.) must be taken elsewhere.

Correct waste sorting therefore ensures a clean building, saves us money and is better for the environment. The opposite is also true. Not sorting waste correctly results in a dirty building, increases the cost of waste management enormously and damages our environment.

If, after reading the brochure, you would like additional information on sorting waste in Brussels, please visit https://www.arp-gan.be. Here you will find general information about waste sorting. You will also find the location of public glass bins and all Recyparks in Brussels.

This website also provides information on home collection of bulky household waste. Every household is currently entitled to one free collection of up to 3m³ per year. For more information and an appointment, call 0800/ 981 81.

On https://dechetsalimentaires.brussels/sac-orange/ you will find information about the orange bag and the free small container for organic waste that you can obtain to collect this food waste in your flat.