Sorting at source for 24 waste streams
PMD waste is one of the 24 waste streams that companies in Flanders must sort at source. Others include wood, metal, glass and paper/cardboard.
The obligation to sort organic waste applies to companies that serve hot meals at least once a week (both internal and external catering). From January 2024 onwards, this obligation will apply to all companies, regardless of whether they serve food or not.
Collection by an authorised waste partner
As a company, you have to organise both sorting and collection of your waste. Specifically, you have to sign a residual waste agreement with a waste collector registered with OVAM (the Public Waste Agency of Flanders). This contract also includes information about the other types of waste that have to be put out separately for collection, even if those types of waste are not collected by the company’s residual waste collector.
No minimum threshold
Flanders does not impose a minimum threshold for sorting waste.
If the amount of residual waste, PMD waste and paper/cardboard is similar to the amount produced by a typical household, then in most cases you are allowed to put the waste out for collection on the household collection route.
IMPORTANT:
- Your company must be on a household waste collection route.
- Your municipality has no obligation to collect waste from companies. It is best to contact your municipality's environmental department to check whether you can use the household collection system.
- For residual waste, the amount you are allowed to put out for collection on the household waste collection route is limited to 3 x 60 litres or one 22.5 kg container per fortnightly collection.
What checks are carried out on your sorting obligation?
Under the Vlarema legislation, waste collectors are required by law to conduct visual inspections of residual waste from companies. If they find that the residual waste still contains materials that should be sorted at source, they have to register it as a nonconformity. There are also two waste control officers on patrol.
Since 1 January 2023, Flemish companies are required only to use transparent bags for industrial residual waste that is collected in containers. This makes it easier for collectors to check any sorting errors.
More information about your waste sorting obligations in Flanders can be found on the OVAM website.
