Ravels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Illegal construction waste from the Netherlands was used under 3 artificial turf fields in Oud-Turnhout and Ravels. OVAM, Scheerlinck Sport, and authorities are investigating; Heylens confirms no harmful substances found.
As VRT News reported, the Department of Environment has confirmed that illegal construction waste may have been used beneath artificial turf fields in Oud-Turnhout and Ravels, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. A Heylens of the department explained that the environmental inspectorate received anonymous reports suggesting unauthorised dumping at these sites.
An inspection revealed that the waste originated in the Netherlands and had been imported in violation of European regulations on waste transport. Authorities also noted the absence of certificates confirming that the materials could safely be reused as construction raw materials, raising significant environmental and regulatory concerns.
What illegal Dutch waste was used under the turf fields in Oud-Turnhout and Ravels?
The rubble was supplied by a key individual implicated in a waste fraud case in the Antwerp Kempen region, who had been appointed as the contractor for the sports field projects.
“In May 2025, we had samples taken from beneath the artificial turf fields to determine whether any potentially harmful substances were present and whether the debris could actually be used as a raw material.”
“These samples turned out to be structurally sound. No heavy metals or asbestos were found. The violations our inspection identified were limited to illegal imports from the Netherlands. We have filed reports for this and submitted them to the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office, which is investigating the matter further.”
The case concerns 3 artificial turf sports fields. One is in Oud-Turnhout, and 2 are in Ravels, in the sub-municipalities of Poppel and Weelde. The fields were installed in 2024. In May 2025, samples were taken from beneath the turf.
The tests were carried out with the help of the local municipalities, the waste management agency OVAM, and the main contractor, Scheerlinck Sport from Kontich. Authorities wanted to check whether the materials used were safe and if they met environmental rules for reuse.
Nic Andriessen, mayor of Ravels since December 2024, said he was not involved in building the sports fields. He explained that main contractors often work with local subcontractors to save on transport costs. Former mayor Walter Luyten said he had no contact with Scheerlinck Sport and never visited the construction sites.
“I have never followed up on this project,”
Luyten said.
“It’s logical that municipalities prefer to work with local businesses. Main contractors often request this themselves in a consultation meeting with a department head, and then they go to market themselves.”
says Luyten.
“I don’t know how things went after that. Our contractor and contact person was Scheerlinck Sport from Kontich. Ultimately, it was the main contractor, Scheerlinck Sport, who was put in default.”
