From today, 15 May, households are obliged to have orange bin bags for organic kitchen waste across the Brussels-Capital Region. For authorities and businesses, this obligation already took effect on 1 May.
Food waste still accounts for about 40% of the weight of the white bags, which is intended only for non-recyclable residual waste, according to city authorities. Therefore, all recyclable food waste will have to go in the orange bag from 15 May.
"There is of course a risk that the organic waste will attract animals and that they will tear open the bags," the Brussels authorities said. "To avoid this inconvenience, you can use an orange bin available free of charge at the Recyparks."
Importantly, bones and carcasses, oyster and mussel shells, nappies and egg shells are not allowed in that bag, but should go in the white bag. Garden waste is not allowed in the orange bag and should still be disposed of in the green bag.
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The orange bag obligation is coming into force as kitchen waste and plastic are all too often placed into white non-recyclable bags, which then goes to the incinerator. Therefore, the Regional Government wants to reduce the number of white bin bags with residual waste – in line with the European waste policy.
The new rubbish collection calendar for all municipalities can be found on the website of Bruxelles-Propreté, the body responsible for waste collection and street cleaning in the region.
By entering your address here, you can find out on what bags to put out on which days.
