Mountain of fly-tipping left on site in a social housing estate: “It’s like mopping with the tap open”

Although some illegal dumpers did not pay much attention to this last week. A mountain of waste was left behind the wall where the message hangs: seats, old laundry baskets, slatted frames and bags full of cardboard and other waste. “Unfortunately, it is a problem that has increased in recent years,” says Matthias Van Tichelen of Thuispunt Gent.

Social housing company Thuispunt Gent is the owner of the site with garages near Kikvorsstraat. Last week they received a report that the gate that closes off the site had been forced. “We sent someone to look at the gate and discovered the fly-tipping,” he says.

Little social control

There are no cameras near the site and only a few garages are still rented. “That makes it an attractive place for illegal dumping because there is little social control and passage,” says Van Tichelen.

Thuispunt has noted that fly-tipping is also becoming more common in other locations. “We notice that the problem is increasing. Sometimes it is a matter of mopping with the tap open,” says Van Tichelen. “That is why we point out to our tenants that fly-tipping is socially unacceptable and that there are heavy fines associated with it.” They have also been working closely with Ivago in recent years to tackle the problem.

Since there are currently too few staff during the end of the year, all waste will be collected next week.