Waste dumping next to containers is becoming an increasing concern for the City of Luxembourg. All sorts of garbage piles up every morning around the 'Igloo' stations normally reserved for sorting glass, paper cardboard or clothing.
"Cardboard boxes, waste, toys or even mattresses, furniture, TVs and even washing machines (...) you can find everything next to the containers", says Gilles Zigliana of the City Hygiene Department.
This phenomenon is rather confusing, however, as the City of Luxembourg offers a collection service for bulky waste. "We come pick them up on request in front of the house. The appointment is quickly fixed, normally within a week", Zigliana explains. The quickest option is for households to drop off waste at the recycling centre on the route d'Arlon.
"We have sent 539 invoices over the past year. Not all have been paid. There are those who know very well that they are in violation and pay immediately. And those who sometimes have plausible explanations and for which we are unable to prove the wrongdoings", Zigliana says. Still, the 391 paid invoices enabled the City to collect 63,154 euros in total.
This does not cover the cost of removing the excess litter, but the sum covers "at least a small part of the costs incurred by the eight people who clean these areas, seven days a week". Whether it is a simple box or a larger piece of furniture, the invoice is the same for any wild deposit: 178 euros.
"The goal is not to punish people but to make them aware of the fact that it is forbidden to deposit garbage next to the containers. There are enough stations in town", recalls the person responsible for their removal. The City has 57 public collection points.
