In 2017, almost six kilograms of waste per capita were dumped as litter and fly-tipping in Flanders. But what are the costs to society?

Litter and fly-tipping are visible leaks in the circular economy, which are associated with relatively substantial policy costs, that can be avoided, given some alertness. On behalf of OVAM, the Public Waste Agency of Flanders, IDEA Consult calculated the volumes and policy cost of litter and fly-tipping for Flanders in 2017.

In 2017, the estimated combined amount of litter and fly-tipping amounted to 37,811 tonnes, or 5.81 kilograms per capita. This translated into a policy cost of EUR 191 million for clean-up, processing and awareness-raising campaigns, or EUR 29.31 per capita. The estimates are based on the quantities actually gathered and collected and the amounts spent on prevention and remediation.

You can find further information (in Dutch) in the report that can be downloaded from OVAM’s website: https://ovam.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Zwerfvuil_Sluikstort_Studie_2017-DEF.pdf