The number of Administrative Municipal Sanctions (AMS) for waste and illegal dumping in Flanders more than tripled between 2020 and 2023, jumping from 6,872 to 19,861, according to Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns.
The number of fines for waste and illegal dumping increased by 351% during that period, Minister Brouns said on Tuesday in the Flemish Parliament.
The highest number of sanctions in 2023 was recorded in the Province of Antwerp with 6,309 fines, followed by Limburg (4,427), Flemish Brabant (3,750), West Flanders (3,170), and East Flanders (2,205).
“This is an impressive increase,” commented Minister Brouns. “It shows that our local authorities are responding to the concerns of their residents.”
The challenges remain significant, especially regarding cigarette butts. In 93% of cases where someone is caught littering, it involves a cigarette butt. This indicates that many smokers do not yet consider them as litter, despite their significant environmental impact.
It can take up to 10 years for cigarette butts to fully decompose, the minister noted.
N-VA legislator Sanne Van Looy also reminded the minister of former Environment Minister Zuhal Demir’s plans to make the tobacco industry pay for the costs associated with cigarette butt waste.
That project was not approved, but Minister Brouns intends to “restart” it.
“Tobacco producers will certainly be included,” he assured legislators.
