International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

10.1.2 Approaches to Selective Collection
In Flanders, 70% segregation of household waste is achieved through door-to-door
collections and bring site methods (recycling centres). Since the municipalities are
responsible for the organisation and financing of municipal waste management,
different collection methods (e.g. bags or containers), frequency, types of collected
waste and charges are possible. However, the Flemish Public Waste Agency, OVAM,
demands minimum fractions to be collected and minimum collection method and
frequency. Where DIFTAR receptacles are mentioned, the price for waste collection is
determined by the weight or the volume of containers (specific bags, chipped bins or
other receptacles). Details are presented in Section 10.3 of these Annexes.
10.2 Where Has the Policy Been Applied and Why?
A strong driver for the frequent and efficient separate collection of many waste
streams is found in the environmental policy agreements or covenants. These
covenants are voluntary agreements between the Flemish government and the
municipalities. The municipalities receive financial support from the Flemish
government when they meet a number of environmental management targets during
a certain period. This financial support is partly linked to the performance obtained
and can be considered as a goal-oriented instrument: e.g. in the field of waste policy,
financial support is only received when the municipality produces less than the target
150kg residual waste per habitant per year. For certain cities the target is adjusted
taking into account the presence of illegal immigrants, tourists, students, etc.
The covenants are financed by the revenues from an environmental policy fund
(MINA-fund), supported by environmental levies on landfill and incineration. The first
voluntary covenant (2002-2004) was drawn up to cover separate collection of
municipal waste and investment in infrastructure (Milieu als opstap naar duurzame
ontwikkeling, 2001). Nowadays waste prevention is the main priority together with
encouraging the use of sustainable materials and products (reflecting past success
with separate collection systems).
10.3 Country-specific Characteristics
Segregation of household waste is organised in Flanders as described in Table 10-1.
A differential tariff (DIFTAR) applies to mixed household waste, separate collection of
vegetable, fruit and garden (VFG) biowaste and of waste packaging.
The costs in Flanders for collection and disposal of waste are lower than in other
countries with less ambitious targets and lower rates of diversion. The overall cost of
the extended system of separate collection based on supply and collection methods
amounts to €220 per year per average family of 2.4 people. Of this:
177
� €36 of this is paid through producer responsibility price increases (on
packaging, batteries, WEEE, etc.)
� €184 is paid at municipality level. The municipality receives funds from three
sources, each contributing roughly a third of the municipality level payment:
� Direct charging for waste – a variable cost based on quantities of
residual and other chargeable wastes (DIFTAR applies);
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes