Flanders Scraps Charter to Ban Confetti and Candy in Parades

Flanders is set to scrap its charter that aimed to encourage local authorities to ban confetti and candy during parades like those for Sinterklaas and carnival. Flemish Minister of Environment Jo Brouns confirmed the decision in response to a written question from N-VA MP Sanne Van Looy.

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But issuing detailed guidelines on how cities and towns should handle confetti and candy during parades goes too far. That is no longer a core task of the government.

The charter, introduced by the Public Waste Company (OVAM) late last year, urged municipalities to prohibit the distribution of sweets and confetti during parades. Van Looy criticized the initiative, stating that issuing detailed guidelines on how cities and towns should handle confetti and candy during parades goes too far and is not a core government task.

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Our traditions, often embraced by volunteers, must be cherished, not over-regulated.

Earlier reports indicated that only two local authorities, Maldegem and Opwijk, expressed interest in banning candy and confetti during their carnival parades. Brouns acknowledged the "limited interest," leading to the decision to withdraw the initiative in its current form. Van Looy welcomed the move, emphasizing the need to cherish, not over-regulate, traditions often upheld by volunteers. She suggested that environmental care and folk traditions can coexist through more effective means, such as reusable cups or better cleanup efforts at events, rather than "moralizing charters."

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Reusable cups or better cleanup efforts at events are much more effective than moralizing charters. Carnival, Sinterklaas, and local parades are important moments of togetherness, typical Flemish folklore. Let's continue to support these initiatives and our associations, not regulate them into the ground.