The Brussels region is to build a biomethanization center to transform food waste into biogas. Biogas can then be used instead of fossil fuels to heat buildings or run buses, for example.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.
To avoid maggots and other inconveniences, we advise you to :
The waste from the orange bag is processed at the biomethanization centers in Ypres and Liège.
One of the first stages is digestion of the waste by bacteria in an oxygen-free reactor for 15 days at 37°C.
This produces gas (methane) and digestate (solid part):
Once the orange bags have been emptied of their contents, they are disposed of separately and then incinerated with energy recovery. For more information, visit: https://www.bru-energie.be/
Please note that this situation is temporary, as a biomethanization center is due to open in the Brussels region in 2026.
The orange bag is not biodegradable. Food waste is very moist, and the process of degrading the bags would be inconvenient for citizens (start of the degradation process) and for the collection in terms of cleanliness.
This is why the bags are separated from the food waste and recycled to produce energy. For more information, visit: https://www.bru-energie.be/EN/
Biodegradable packaging cannot be processed at the biogas plant. The decomposition time for such packaging, in its entirety and in large quantities, is much longer than for food waste.
You can only dispose of food waste (leftovers, peelings, etc.), as well as tea bags, coffee grounds, paper towels and paper napkins. Please note exceptions such as bones, egg shells, etc.
You'll find all the information you need on the Sorting page of our website.
For more information specific to the orange bag, please visit: https://organicfoodwaste.brussels/
Please note that the small orange bin (25L) and the orange containers (140L / 240L) are primarily intended to protect the bags from stray animals when they are presented for collection.
Concerning the small orange 25 L containers for food waste: you must use orange PRO bags exclusively sold by the Agency. The food waste bags must always be well tied in the orange container. Our collection teams will take away your orange bags and leave the small orange containers on the sidewalk so that you can reuse them the next time you have to put out your container.
For the large 140 L and 240 L containers: you can put your food waste in bulk in the orange containers that were provided to you as part of your commercial contract with the Agency. However, for reasons of hygiene and cleanliness, we recommend that you place your food waste in a garbage bag before throwing it into the orange container. The bags must either be orange bags from Bruxelles-Propreté or clear, colorless bags. If you use opaque bags, they will be considered non-compliant for organic collection.
