Brussels faces a serious daily problem with waste management. Litter on sidewalks, illegal dumping in public spaces, and inefficient waste collection frustrate thousands of Brussels residents. Brussels is indeed a dirty city. This is not just an issue of aesthetics: waste affects our environment, reduces quality of life, hinders soft mobility, and poses risks to public health and safety. As the capital of Belgium and Europe, Brussels—its residents and visitors—deserve better.
As citizens, we see a clear connection between public cleanliness and factors such as safety, health, and quality of life. The lack of cleanliness is a visible sign of a “laissez-faire” policy, which gives the impression that anything goes in Brussels. Such a (non-)policy not only leads to a harsher society and a heightened sense of insecurity, but also encourages an increase in various criminal acts, both minor and serious (for example, urban rodeos, illegal parking, etc.).
Why action is needed?
A clean city is much more than a pleasant space; it’s a city that inspires safety, pride, and sustainability. With the right measures, we can tackle waste-related problems and transform Brussels into a cleaner and more enjoyable place for everyone. It’s time to collectively raise the standard of cleanliness in our city.
All parties agreed during the last local election campaign that cleanliness must be a priority. We now want to see these fine intentions translated into concrete progress.
Our proposal
We call on the Brussels Parliament to create a deliberative commission to work on structural solutions for waste management in Brussels. This commission could formulate concrete recommendations for a cleaner city, based on several key areas:
Improving waste management, e.g.:
- Installing underground containers in busy neighborhoods, supported by sensors and efficient collection systems.
- Increasing the number of mobile recycling parks and reuse initiatives.
- Ensuring regular and thorough cleaning of sidewalks and public spaces.
Prevention and awareness, e.g.:
- Running awareness campaigns about waste management through schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
- Introducing a deposit system for cans and plastic bottles.
- Encouraging community actions such as neighborhood clean-up campaigns with symbolic rewards.
Strengthening enforcement, e.g.:
- Increasing inspections and issuing direct fines to offenders, including individuals and businesses.
- Using mobile cameras in areas prone to illegal dumping.
Efficient management and collaboration, e.g.:
- Ensuring transparency of results and reinvesting fines into cleanliness projects.
- Clearly defining responsibilities between the municipalities and the Region.
To address the problem of street litter, we submitted a petition to the Brussels Region.
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