Litter costs Flemish municipalities 100 million euros more than thought

In 2013, the OVAM estimated the total bill for Flemish municipalities at 55.1 million euros. Using a better measurement method, OVAM's study of the 2015 figures released on Friday arrives at an amount of 155.4 million euros. That is 100.3 million euros more. Of those 155.4 million, 109.4 million is spent on clearing up litter and emptying public bins.

The amount of litter for 2015 is estimated at 20,426 tonnes, which is 17% more than the 17,500 tonnes estimated for 2013. Flanders set itself the target of reducing litter by 20% by 2022. This year, the Flemish government is evaluating whether the litter policy is producing sufficient results.

More than 24 euros of taxpayers' money per Flemish citizen annually

"Litter therefore costs municipalities much more than was previously known. 155 million per year is a huge expense, a lot of tax money from our Flemish cities and municipalities. More than 24 euros of taxpayers' money per Flemish citizen annually. It is therefore important that every euro is used efficiently and effectively. That is why the government must also look at systems that can prevent litter, such as deposit return schemes," Buurman notes.

When the cost of litter was still estimated at the lower amount of 55 million, we already knew that a deposit return scheme could save municipalities 20.1 million euros per year. "Now that the actual costs of litter turn out to be much higher, the potential savings for municipalities through preventative measures such as deposits are also much greater," analyses Rob Buurman.

Deposits create room in municipal budgets

"By introducing a deposit return scheme in 2018, the Flemish government of N-VA, CD&V and Open VLD can lighten the municipalities' litter bill. That would create room in municipal budgets. Making producers responsible for the litter from their products can help reduce municipal taxes. In any case, this will be an important theme in the campaign for the Flemish municipal elections," concludes Rob Buurman, director of Recycling Netwerk Benelux.

Furthermore, the study only concerns the costs incurred to clean up and prevent litter, and does not cover the costs of the plastic soup in rivers, seas and oceans.

In 2013, the OVAM estimated the total bill for Flemish municipalities at 55.1 million euros. Using a better measurement method, OVAM's study of the 2015 figures released on Friday arrives at an amount of 155.4 million euros. That is 100.3 million euros more. Of those 155.4 million, 109.4 million is spent on clearing up litter and emptying public bins.

The amount of litter for 2015 is estimated at 20,426 tonnes, which is 17% more than the 17,500 tonnes estimated for 2013. Flanders set itself the target of reducing litter by 20% by 2022. This year, the Flemish government is evaluating whether the litter policy is producing sufficient results.

More than 24 euros of taxpayers' money per Flemish citizen annually

"Litter therefore costs municipalities much more than was previously known. 155 million per year is a huge expense, a lot of tax money from our Flemish cities and municipalities. More than 24 euros of taxpayers' money per Flemish citizen annually. It is therefore important that every euro is used efficiently and effectively. That is why the government must also look at systems that can prevent litter, such as deposit return schemes," Buurman notes.

When the cost of litter was still estimated at the lower amount of 55 million, we already knew that a deposit return scheme could save municipalities 20.1 million euros per year. "Now that the actual costs of litter turn out to be much higher, the potential savings for municipalities through preventative measures such as deposits are also much greater," analyses Rob Buurman.

Deposits create room in municipal budgets

"By introducing a deposit return scheme in 2018, the Flemish government of N-VA, CD&V and Open VLD can lighten the municipalities' litter bill. That would create room in municipal budgets. Making producers responsible for the litter from their products can help reduce municipal taxes. In any case, this will be an important theme in the campaign for the Flemish municipal elections," concludes Rob Buurman, director of Recycling Netwerk Benelux.

Furthermore, the study only concerns the costs incurred to clean up and prevent litter, and does not cover the costs of the plastic soup in rivers, seas and oceans.