Cleanliness: regional brigades and immediate fine collection

RPD commitments

The Regional Policy Declaration of 13 February 2026 devotes a chapter to public cleanliness, identified as a major citizen concern.

Agency reform

• Reform of the Brussels Cleanliness Agency (ABP) — reorganisation of collection and improved working conditions

Collection infrastructure

• Underground containers and compactors — deployment in high-density neighbourhoods
• Special rapid intervention unit for "Cleanliness"

Cleanliness brigades

• Creation of regional cleanliness brigades — coordinated regional and municipal agents
• Deployment of smart cameras in areas at risk of illegal dumping

Sanctions

• Immediate fine collection for observed offences
• Combating illegal waste importation from other regions

Illegal dumping: "waste tourism" (2025)

Data from the City of Brussels reveals the scale of the illegal dumping phenomenon:

• 7,731 fines issued in 2025, up 61% compared to 2024
• 36.7% of offenders are non-residents (2,837 out of 7,731) — the so-called "waste tourism" phenomenon, driven by the price of rubbish bags being ten times lower in Brussels than in surrounding municipalities
• Total fines amount: approximately EUR 12 million in 2025

The Region plans to deploy underground containers in high-density neighbourhoods and to reinforce enforcement through smart cameras, in line with the RPD commitments.

Nitrous oxide: 2025 operational data

Bruxelles-Propreté collected 75 tonnes of nitrous oxide cylinders in 2025, of which over 50 tonnes came from clandestine dumps. The total cost of safety and treatment measures amounts to €12 million, of which €9 million is a direct charge on the agency's budget.

A shredder installed since June 2025 enables cylinders to be neutralised before incineration. Incinerator explosions decreased by 37% (from 797 to approximately 500) and operational shutdowns by 29% (from 35 to 25 per year).

Since March 2024, a royal decree prohibits the sale and possession of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes. However, Bruxelles-Propreté considers the legislation insufficient, as it relies on buyers' oral declarations.

Sources and methodology

The commitments documented above come from the official text of the RPD (chapter 10) and from concordant press sources covering the government agreement of 12 February 2026. Nitrous oxide operational data comes from the official Bruxelles-Propreté communiqué of 10 February 2026 and the BX1 report of 17 February 2026.