Obligations to sort and manage company waste
In Brussels, whether you are a manager of a business, a restaurant, a snack bar, or a representative of a company or an association, you are responsible for the handling of the waste generated in the context of your business activity.
All companies are subject to three main obligations. A “company” is any entity registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises: self-employed persons, individuals, companies, non-profit organisations, CPAS/OCMW, administrations, etc. So as soon as you have a company number and you produce waste, you are subject to these obligations.
1. Sort your professional waste
You cannot simply drop all of your waste into your residual waste container in bulk. You must sort it per waste stream (type) and provide sorting systems, such as separate bins, for each type. Sorted waste streams cannot be mixed with each other. Here is an overview of all the waste that is prohibited in residual waste and that must be sorted:
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PMD
Plastic packaging, metal packaging and beverage cartons
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Paper-Cardboard
Without plastic film, clean and dry
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Glass
White glass: white transparent glass containers
Coloured glass: coloured transparent glass containers -
Food waste*
Peelings, leftover vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, meat, fish, expired products
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Plant waste
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Plastic wrapping films*
E.g.: pallet film, plastic bags for raw materials…
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Waste of electrical and electronic equipment
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Batteries and accumulators
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All hazardous waste and its packaging
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Wood*
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Metal*
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Strapping links*
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Styrofoam*
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Animal waste*
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Used frying fats and oils
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Used oil
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Tyres
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Used vehicles
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Medicines
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Photovoltaic panels
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Rubble*
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Mattresses*
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Textile**
* Sorting will be mandatory by December 2022.
** Sorting will be mandatory from 1 January 2025
3. Use the bags or containers provided by your waste collector
Once you have taken out a collection contract for your various waste steams to be sorted in your professional activity/company, use your collector’s bags or containers to sort your different types of business-related waste.
Under no circumstances should you use household waste collection bags.
