A new waste policy in the Imog region has led to a significant drop in residual waste, driven by differentiated tariffs.
Key Takeaways
- A new waste policy in the Imog region has led to a 30 per cent reduction in residual waste due to differentiated tariffs.
- In the first quarter of 2026, residual waste dropped to 5,128 tons, down from 7,312 tons in 2025.
- Improved sorting and a focus on organic waste significantly influenced this change in resident behaviour.
- Over 55 per cent of households now separate their organic waste, which helps in composting and reduces residual waste.
- 1,077 tons of organic waste collected separately were converted into green biogas for energy use.
Following the introduction of a new waste policy at the beginning of the year, the impact in the Imog region has been recorded. In the first quarter of 2026, the amount of residual waste decreased by nearly 30 per cent. This is compared to the same period in 2025.
From January to March 2025, 7,312 tons of residual waste were collected from households in the eleven Imog municipalities, Imog announced. In the same period of 2026, this volume fell to 5,127,980 kilograms. The initial results indicate that a differentiated tariff system (Diftar) has initiated a change in resident behaviour. In addition, adjusted sorting rules and a stronger focus on organic waste have also contributed.
This represents 2,184 tons less residual waste, a decrease of 29.87 per cent, and an average of 8.5 kilograms less residual waste per inhabitant for the quarter. If the trend from the first quarter continues, it would amount to an annual reduction of approximately 34 kilograms of residual waste per inhabitant. This projection places the Imog region at the level of the Flemish government’s 2030 target. Specifically, the target is 97 kilograms of residual waste per inhabitant.
Diftar System Encourages Better Sorting
The reduction in residual waste confirms the effectiveness of improved sorting. The new approach for organic waste is a significant factor. Since 1 January 2026, vegetable, fruit, garden, and kitchen waste is no longer disposed of with residual waste. Residents either compost it themselves or use a separate bin for organic waste.
Of the 113,908 households in the Imog region, 62,261 now use a bin for organic waste, which corresponds to a participation rate of 55 per cent.
Organic Waste Converted To Biogas
In the first quarter of 2026, 1,077 tons of organic waste were collected separately in the Imog region. This material was subsequently processed into green biogas, a form of energy from waste.
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