Various municipalities in Flemish Brabant are installing hidden cameras to tackle illegal dumping. Waste companies EcoWerf and Intradura announced the projects as part of the recent Week of Enforcement in the region.
As a result, EcoWerf has announced hidden cameras in 14 cities and municipalities in the east of Flemish Brabant.
"Clandestine dumping disturbs more than just the fauna and flora of the neighbourhood," says Machteld Vanden Bosch of EcoWerf. "It not only costs the local authorities a lot of money to have us clean it up, but it also gives a feeling of insecurity for the residents and of course it does not look nice."
Intradura will also install cameras at various designated collection points in the region, as "both the residents and the municipality want clean neighbourhoods," says Vincent Jonckheere, Environment and Sustainable Policy councillor for the municipality of Wemmel.
The cameras will be placed on glass collection points, clothing containers or other abandoned places and country roads. The devices are hidden in order to increase the deterrent effect.
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"We don't want to inform the illegal dumpers about where the cameras are. In this way, we hope to prevent as many illegal dumpings as possible," says Vanden Bosch.
EcoWerf will place the cameras in various municipalities over the next three years. "The municipality can run a campaign to inform its residents, but we will never reveal the exact location."
The footage should allow municipalities to catch illegal dumpers. Offenders risk a fine of up to €350, in addition to the costs of cleaning up the site where they have dumped their rubbish.
