Edegem Eliminates Clothing Containers to Prevent Illegal Dumping

Edegem (Eurotoday) – Edegem will remove all clothing containers by year-end after illegal dumping. Opnieuw & Co containers are first removed. Residents can still donate textiles at their Kontich and Mortsel stores.

As GVA News reported, Edegem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, will remove clothing collection containers from public areas. Authorities said the containers were attracting illegal dumping. People were leaving household waste, large items, and other refuse around them. This caused environmental and safety concerns. 

What steps is Edegem taking to remove clothing containers and prevent dumping?

Officials said the removal is part of a wider plan to improve cleanliness and prevent illegal waste disposal. They are looking at other ways for residents to donate clothing, including partnerships with local charities or centralised collection points. 

“The clothing containers were being misused as a dumping ground for all kinds of waste that doesn’t belong there. This ranges from residual waste and cooking oil to bulky waste, strollers, and construction debris. Textiles can still be collected from homes, taken to the recycling centre, or to the Opnieuw & Co stores in the area,”

the alderman immediately mentions the alternatives.

The first clothing collection containers have been removed in Edegem. Officials said this follows agreements with the charity Opnieuw & Co. Their initial containers have been taken away. Discussions are ongoing with other partners. All remaining containers, on both public and private property, are expected to be removed by the end of the year. 

Residents can still donate textiles at Opnieuw & Co stores in Kontich and Mortsel, near the border with Edegem. Authorities stressed that donations remain possible but should be made at these stores. 

Since 2025, several Flemish towns have started removing clothing collection containers because they were often misused for illegal dumping. Lint and Hove removed their containers earlier that year.

In 2025, Schoten removed several clothing collection containers after they were misused for illegal dumping. The municipality worked with local charities to ensure textiles could still be collected through stores or recycling centres.