Trash bags from Limburg.net attract unwanted visitors to Hasselt streets

Residents of Hasselt, particularly in the Godsheide and Quartier Bleu areas, are expressing significant frustration with the new waste collection system implemented by Limburg.net. The shift from combined GFT (kitchen and garden waste) containers to separate, smaller bags for each type of waste has led to a cascade of problems, including bags being torn open by pests, unpleasant odors, and general inconvenience.

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I want to ensure that my children and grandchildren can also swim in Køge Bay, as I could when I was a child. It is important that we take care of our marine environment.

Brigitta Boonen, a resident quoted in the article, voices a common sentiment: the new system is overly complicated and impractical, especially during warmer months when the smell attracts animals. The need to manage two separate bags, which are not always adequately sized, has led some to simply mix kitchen waste with general refuse, undermining the system's intended purpose. The visual of residents resorting to covering their bins with blankets to deter birds highlights the extent of the problem.

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You have to sort into 2 bags and they are not very large besides.

Limburg.net, the waste management authority, acknowledges the difficulties but maintains that the system is designed to work for the majority. Spokesperson Raf Coenen advises residents on better storage methods, such as using old GFT containers, and emphasizes the importance of not putting bags out too early. While acknowledging that some families may find the transition challenging, Coenen defends the 'one size fits all' approach necessary for large-scale systems. The publication, VRT NWS, presents these contrasting viewpoints, reflecting the local impact of policy changes and the ongoing dialogue between citizens and authorities in Belgium regarding environmental management and public services.

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Those bags lie in the sun and animals tear them open because of the food scraps.