Blankenberg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – After 40,000 visitors flocked to Blankenberge, the city placed extra garbage bins and boosted cleanup efforts. Alderman Sandy Buysschaert stressed the need for responsible visitor behaviour.
As reported by VRT News, Blankenberge’s city, province of West Flanders, Belgium, workers cleaned the beach this morning on May 2, 2025. They started cleaning at 7 a.m. after a very busy day at the coast. The workers spent 3 hours cleaning up and finished by 10 a.m. Many people visited the coast yesterday, May 1, 2025, because of the warm spring weather.
They mentioned that more people came than usual, which created a lot of trash. The workers quickly cleaned the beach so it would be nice for everyone the next day. They wanted the beach ready for both the people who live there and the new visitors.
How is Blankenberge preparing for more beach visitors this weekend?
Blankenberge is preparing for more visitors this weekend. Sandy Buysschaert, who works on waste, said they are putting out extra trash bins. This is something they usually only do in the summer. About 40,000 people came, which was a lot.
Buysschaert called it a “perfect solar storm” because of the good weather and the holiday. The city wants to keep the beach clean and make sure everyone has a good time, even when many people visit. They are trying to be ready for a lot of visitors.
According to Sandy Buysschaert, these changes are because many people are expected to visit. The city is also looking at long-term solutions. One idea is to reuse old trash bins. These bins are being replaced. They could be used on very busy days. Another idea is to use volunteers. The volunteers would help keep the beach clean. They would also remind people to throw trash away correctly.
“There were plans to replace 110 waste bins in the city anyway, so we could then possibly use the old ones as extra bins at peak times. We are also thinking about a system with volunteers who can help out at the busiest places at very busy times,”
Sandy Buysschaert said.
Alderman Sandy Buysschaert has highlighted a significant issue beyond the practical steps of waste management. She emphasises that the effectiveness of keeping the beach clean also depends on the behaviour of the visitors. While additional trash bins and more frequent collections are implemented, the core problem lies in the attitudes and actions of beachgoers.
She noted that some trash bins were overflowing while many others remained underused, suggesting that some individuals are not making the effort to dispose of their waste properly. Buysschaert expressed her frustration at this disregard for shared public spaces.
She shared a personal anecdote about how she and her family would hold onto their trash until they found a bin. Her message is:
“even with well-planned logistics and extra resources, maintaining a clean beach relies on a shared civic mindset where every individual takes responsibility for their actions and contributes to the cleanliness of the environment.“
