Mark clandestine deposits as on a crime scene. The new Bruxelles-Propreté and Fost Plus campaign aims to increase citizens’ awareness of these deposits. Camila Pilotto, spokesperson for Bruxelles-Propreté, tells us about it this Friday at 12:30 p.m.
► Our report: Clandestine deposits: complaints and fines are increasing in the Brussels Region
As a reminder, waste deposited in the public space in a place and/or at a time not provided for this purpose is considered to be a clandestine deposit. Bags of household waste taken out outside the scheduled hours are included, as are bulky items abandoned on the sidewalk or at the foot of trees.
Significant increase since the Covid
The problem of clandestine deposits remains very present in Brussels. No less than 2,574.8 tonnes of illegal waste were collected in 2021 by the Bruxelles-Propreté services, to which must be added the deposits taken over by the municipal services.
“The phenomenon of clandestine deposits has increased in the Brussels Region, especially since the health crisis. In 2020, we saw a 32% increase compared to 2019. For 2021 and 2022, despite a slight decrease, the trend is confirmed“, informs us Camila Pilotto, spokesperson for Bruxelles-Propreté. A Covid effect which is explained in particular, according to the spokesperson, by “on the one hand, the fact of staying at home and teleworking which have prompted citizens to create more space at home and therefore to sort it out. And on the other hand, social isolation and the fear of Covid have reinforced individualistic thinking compared to community thinking.”
Crime scene
The authorities have therefore decided to intensify the fight against this scourge. Bruxelles-Propreté will thus mark the clandestine deposits identified with a rubalise, “as if it was a crime scene, a crime against cleanliness“, says Camila Pilotto. This marking will be accompanied by a sign indicating the illegal nature of the deposit, the amount of the fine which can range from 50 to 62,500 euros and the address of the nearest Recypark.
► Rubalisations of clandestine deposits to raise awareness among citizens
As with each filing report, the research and verbalization service of the Regional Agency in charge of cleanliness will conduct an on-site investigation.
This device will remain for three days before being recovered by Bruxelles-Propreté.
Reduce the feeling of impunity
The objective is to have a deterrent effect on the population and more specifically the authors of these deposits. For this, Bruxelles-Propreté has relied in particular on behavioral sciences.
“We have identified some key objectives that are essential when trying to effect behavior change. It is first of all essential to inform the citizen about the illegal nature of the deposit. It is then a question of informing him about the solutions that can be proposed to him”, explains the spokesperson. “The campaign also aims to strengthen social scrutiny and thus reduce this feeling of impunity in the face of an act of uncleanliness.”
Recyparks
Bruxelles-Propreté recalls that there are three regional recyparks open 7 days a week, with evening opening hours 4 days a week for all residents of Brussels. In addition, there are two recyparks, that of Auderghem and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, which are accessible to the inhabitants of the municipalities of Etterbeek, Ixelles, Watermael-Boitsfort, and the two Woluwe. Residents of Brussels also have free access to a collection service for bulky items at home.
■ Interview with Camila Pilottospokesperson at Bruxelles-Propreté, in the 12:30