Collection model:
Separate collection of food and garden waste through door to door systems and underground containers. Many households compost at home.
Treatment model:
EcoWerf co-composting plant near Leuven using anaerobic and aerobic treatment.
Key elements:
PAYT (DifTar, Differentiated Tariff, i.e., weight-based) in most municipalities; in non-DifTar areas, fees via monthly/annual stickers; Polluter Pays Principle widely implemented; participation incentives include co-purchase of compostable bags, free composting bins, training, and awareness campaigns.
Evidence of success:
(2022 data) High participation supported by PAYT and home composting. Continuous improvement toward Flanders’ 2030 waste targets.
Belgium
Scale: Inter-municipal
Demographic type: Urban / peri-urban
Population: 483,000 inh. (2022)
Organisation in charge: EcoWerf – Intermunicipal environmental company coordinating household waste management for 28 municipalities in East Brabant
Source:
Municipal Waste Europe (2024). Separate Collection in East Brabant, Belgium.
Municipal Waste Europe (2024). Treatment process in East Brabant, Belgium.