OVAM | Wettest year drives household waste increase in 2024

OVAM reported that in 2024, Flanders generated 2 973 614 tonnes of household waste, or 433 kg per person, up 13 kg per inhabitant. The increase was mainly due to higher amounts of garden, organic, wood, and packaging waste, linked to 2024 being the wettest year on record. Residual waste remained stable at 125 kg per person. Recycling performed strongly, with 71% of household waste collected separately and a record 64.9% effectively recycled. 

Litter collection also rose slightly, from 6 621 to 6 969 tonnes (+5.3%), but the share of litter left on the ground fell from 33% to 29%, showing more responsible disposal. The Flemish government highlights the need for municipalities to continue reducing residual waste through separate green waste collection, improved sorting, weight-based fees, and stricter recycling park rules, aiming to further decrease household waste while increasing recycling and proper disposal. 

Source: https://ovam.vlaanderen.be (in Dutch)