Free visits to recycling centres are limited to 12 times a year

Monday 15 January 2024

As of February 1, 2024, residents of Avalex municipalities can use Avalex's recycling centres free of charge up to twelve times a year. The number of visits is registered at the resident's address via the (digital) Avalex pass. From the thirteenth visit, a fixed rate per visit applies. For 2024, the rate has been set at €16.90. You can only pay this amount at the recycling center with PIN.

The vast majority of residents use the recycling centers less than twelve times a year. This means that most visitors to the recycling centers will not notice the introduction of this measure. The measure is being introduced to prevent improper use of non-household waste and excessive use of the recycling centers.

Prevent improper use

Just over 1 percent of visitors are responsible for almost 20 percent of the total number of visits to the recycling centres on an annual basis. You cannot go to the recycling center with industrial waste. However, after further investigation, it is suspected that some of the frequent users use the recycling center to dispose of industrial waste. If someone comes with a van full of waste and is in possession of an Avalex pass, it is difficult to check whether it is commercial waste. For example, someone may have a large garden or be renovating at home. By maximizing the number of free visits, Avalex wants to prevent as much improper use as possible.

Rate

The rate charged to the visitor from the thirteenth visit is €16.90. This amount is based on the actual costs and visitor numbers of the recycling centres in a year. The rate is determined annually by the Avalex board. This is the cover for management, maintenance, personnel costs and transport of waste and raw materials. The municipalities pay this rate for every visit by a resident to an Avalex recycling centre. These costs are passed on to all residents in the waste tax. In the new situation, a municipality pays a maximum of 12 visits per resident per year and from the thirteenth visit a visitor pays the rate himself. In addition, the municipality pays separately for the processing costs of the waste submitted.