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

DIFTAR charges are intended to replace part of the municipal taxation on income, as
well as a flat rate municipal waste tax. Low income individuals often do not pay
income taxes so it is possible that waste associated costs may be increased for this
section of society. However, social correction mechanisms have been introduced by
different municipal authorities to reduce disproportionate effects. Specific exclusions
apply for families with newborn children to account for diaper waste (the use of
reusable diapers is only marginally introduced in Flanders). Low income families and
families with newborn children usually get a number of residual waste bags for free,
e.g. 20 to 40 bags per year.
Ideologically, DIFTAR ought to replace an equal income generated from surtaxes or
municipal waste taxes. However, several municipalities have introduced DIFTAR and
only partially reduced municipal taxes, thus leading to a general increase in the
revenue take from households. This diminishes the social acceptance of DIFTAR and,
more generally, of environmental taxation.
10.10 Complementary Policies
DIFTAR systems should be combined with policy measures that ensure alternative
avenues for individual materials. These alternatives need to be easily accessible for
individuals. Minimal standards for separate collection have been deemed necessary
in Flanders, ensuring that when DIFTAR schemes are introduced, households’
propensity to resort to fly tipping is minimised. Waste minimisation (and ease of
recycling) policy measures need also to be targeted at producers and distributors.
DIFTAR ought also to be combined with initiatives to enhance the home treatment of
biowaste. One way of doing this, which is used in many Flemish authorities, is the
introduction of charging for the biowaste container. Home treatment can be realised
by promoting home composting or ‘chicken projects’. Several municipalities in
Flanders actively promote the ownership of chickens because they eat leftover
biowaste. An average consumption of 150g/day kitchen waste or 50 kg/year can be
reached. The Animal By-Product Regulation needs to be observed when feeding
chickens with kitchen waste. The material is not considered to be waste, as it is not
discarded, and it is in principle fit for human consumption. However, three important
principles needs to be respected:
182
� The food chain has to be controlled through to the end consumer;
� Cannibalism must be avoided; and
� Feeding with animal products is forbidden.
The effects on the private chicken owner are that no meat, fish or meat products may
be given to the chicken, and no kitchen waste with meat (like spaghetti sauce). The
eggs and the meat of the chicken are only destined for private consumption.
Policies that make residual waste more expensive help to encourage diversion of
material up the waste hierarchy.
10.11 Effect of the Policy on Pricing of Resources / Services
In principle, waste charging policies ought to be financially neutral for the government
or municipality, as long as PBU systems replace existing flat fee taxation. The aim is
29/09/09