OVAM | The amount of Flemish industrial waste is not decreasing fast enough

According to the lates data published by ACR+ member OVAM, business waste decreased by 2.8% in 2022 compared to the reference year 2013. While this marks a positive trend, it falls short of the goal set for business waste, which aimed for a 15% reduction by 2022 compared to 2013, considering employment in Flanders. Consequently, OVAM is taking steps to accelerate the reduction of business waste, including a campaign urging companies to sort waste correctly and enforcement actions.  

Over the past two years, other measures that have been implemented include mandatory visual inspections by waste collectors to report non-conformities, the requirement for transparent bags for commercial waste disposal, and an increase in the levy on incinerating waste from 13 to 25 EUR/tonne. In 2022 and 2023, 1283 inspections were conducted by OVAM enforcement officers, revealing sorting errors in 51% of cases. Companies faced average fines of EUR 2 714 consequently.