Rebecq reduces waste costs by removing public bins
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The municipality of Rebecq, Belgium removed 100 public waste bins in response to ongoing illegal dumping.
Rebecq Vivant, an opposition group, criticized the decision, arguing the council should have discussed it first and implemented a way to identify those illegally dumping waste. They noted that waste collectors do not open illegally deposited bags to find identifying information or seek reimbursement for damages.
Axel Demol, the local official in charge of cleanliness, explained the council made the decision after considering the significant labor and logistical demands of maintaining 160 bins. Previously, two people spent an entire day each week collecting 1,350 kilograms of waste per trip. Now, one person completes two three-hour trips with a single vehicle.
This change frees up time for other tasks and is expected to save the municipality 12,000 euros annually, a savings that will be reflected in citizen waste fees. The town also frequently replaced damaged bins, approximately three or four every two weeks, adding to the cost. Officials also highlighted educational initiatives in schools and public information campaigns aimed at reducing waste.
