Path for thought as part of the municipal cleanliness plan
The municipality of Ixelles will investigate alternatives for street waste bags in its municipal cleanliness plan. In response to an oral question from Gerard Oosterwijk (Vooruit.brussels) in the Ixelles municipal council, alderwoman for cleanliness Geoffroy Kensier indicated that innovative solutions, such as underground containers, are being investigated.
For Vooruit.brussels, cleanliness and the modernisation of the waste collection system were among the priorities in the last municipal council campaign. Despite cleanliness and waste collection being predominantly regional themes, PS-Vooruit included the intention to investigate the solution of underground waste containers in its election programme. Following work on a new local cleanliness plan, with consultation meetings in the various neighbourhoods, Municipal Councillor Gerard Oosterwijk (Vooruit.brussels) asked the college a number of questions.
“The rubbish bags on the street are no longer modern and in Brussels we must look at the many examples of large European cities where waste is placed underground. It is good to see that the municipality of Ixelles is taking a serious look at this and wants to take steps.”, thus local councillor Gerard Oosterwijk (Vooruit.brussels).
On behalf of the college, Alderman Geoffroy Kensier stated that Elsene wishes to take a leading role within the Brussels-Capital Region in terms of cleanliness. When drafting the local cleanliness plan, all options are on the table, and waste collection systems in other European cities are also being examined to find solutions.
Specifically, underground containers can already be incorporated into the plans for new neighbourhoods and new construction projects. There is also an intention to conduct a pilot project using waste containers for traders in the neighbourhood around the cemetery in Ixelles, in order to reduce the number of refuse sacks on the street.
However, there are still many obstacles to overcome for a comprehensive introduction of underground containers in Ixelles, both financially and operationally. The Ixelles college wishes to consult with the Brussels-Capital Region on this matter and to investigate the possibility of public-private partnerships to come up with creative solutions that offer an alternative to waste bags on the street.