Must I sort my waste?
Yes, sorting waste is a legal obligation for households, in all three regions. You must keep glass, paper/cardboard, PMD and bio/organic waste separate, with only the genuine residual going in the residual bag. Since the expansion of the PMD bag (around 2019–2021), all plastic packaging goes in it (tubs, tubes, films), not just bottles. Separate kitchen/bio-waste collection is now mandatory: in Flanders since 1 January 2024 (some municipalities got a postponement until 1 January 2026 at the latest), in Wallonia since 1 January 2024, in Brussels since 15 May 2023 (orange bag). The basis is EU Directive 2018/851. Wrongly sorted bags get a refusal sticker and are left behind; you must re-sort and present them again. Anyone who persistently refuses to sort or fly-tips waste risks a fine.
📋 The rules
- Sorting is mandatory: glass, paper/cardboard, PMD, bio/organic — only residual in the residual bag
- In the PMD bag: all plastic packaging (tubs, tubes, films), empty and clean, caps on the bottle
- Bio/kitchen waste separate: Flanders since 2024 (postponement until 1/1/2026 at latest), Wallonia since 2024, Brussels since 15/5/2023
- Hazardous waste, electricals and textiles to the recycling park or the designated collection
- Wrongly sorted = refusal sticker; you must re-sort and present again
- Depositing next to the container or presenting at the wrong time can count as fly-tipping
🔓 Exceptions
- Home composting of bio-waste can replace separate collection where it is allowed
- Some Flemish municipalities got a postponement for bio-waste collection until 1 January 2026 at the latest
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Wrong sorting or fly-tipping is mainly tackled via GAS fines: the legal maximum for sorting offences and fly-tipping is €350 for adults (€175 for minors); municipalities often set lower tariffs. In Brussels, administrative fines run around €75 for not sorting and €100 to €125 if glass is in the wrong bag. Heavier environmental offences can lead to much higher administrative fines.
📎 Official sources
- OVAM · sorting kitchen waste →
- Fost Plus · PMD sorting rules →
- Brussels Environment · bio-waste sorting mandatory →
❓ Frequently asked
Is sorting really mandatory?
Yes. In all three regions, households must separate glass, paper/cardboard, PMD and bio/organic waste. Only the genuine residual may go in the residual bag. Wrong sorting can bring a refusal sticker and a fine.
What can go in the PMD bag?
Since the expansion, all plastic packaging goes in the blue PMD bag (bottles, tubs, tubes, films), together with metal packaging and drink cartons. Empty everything, leave the caps on the bottle.
Do I have to separate my kitchen waste?
Yes. Bio/kitchen waste is sorted separately: in Flanders since 2024, in Wallonia since 2024 and in Brussels since 15 May 2023 (orange bag). Home composting is possible where it is allowed.
What do I risk if I do not sort?
A refusal sticker on your bag and, on persistent wrong sorting or fly-tipping, a GAS fine up to €350 for adults. In Brussels, administrative fines around €75 to €125.
🔎 Common searches
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