Meise (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Meise cleared a large illegal waste dump at Neromhof, A12. Mayor Van den Brande said dumpers, from Brussels, faced fines. Cleanup delayed over Christmas; residents, including André, demand permanent barriers and monitoring.
As VRT News reported, Meise authorities, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, have cleared a large pile of illegally dumped waste at Neromhof, next to the A12 highway. The site had become a serious problem for residents and the environment.
The mayor described it as a
“white oasis of waste”
because of the volume of trash. The cleanup was delayed over the Christmas period due to a shortage of staff. Residents had raised concerns about the growing pile for several weeks. Now that the waste has been removed.
What is being done about illegal waste dumping on Meise’s A12?
During the cleanup, a municipal administrative officer collected evidence to identify those responsible. Names were found last week and again during the recent work. The officer either creates files or passes the information to the police for possible action.
Local laws state that anyone caught dumping waste illegally, whether on roads, parking lots, or public spaces, can face fines and penalties. The municipality said it will continue to monitor the area and act against offenders. Residents are asked to report suspicious activity to help keep public spaces clean.
Fines for illegal waste dumping in Meise depend on the type of violation. Authorities can also make offenders pay for the cost of cleaning up the waste. Mayor Van den Brande said the recent dumpers are believed to come from Brussels.
“It’s a weekly occurrence here.”
resident André is annoyed
This is not the first time waste has been left in the area. The emergency exit ramp on the A12 motorway allows offenders to leave quickly. Residents and officials have repeatedly raised concerns about the ongoing problem.
Previous attempts to stop illegal dumping, including cameras and concrete blocks, have not been very effective.
“It’s extreme now. Everyone’s talking about it as a disgrace. A solution is urgently needed,”
says resident André
The municipality plans to install a permanent barrier to prevent further incidents. Mayor Van den Brande is also considering a mobile camera to monitor the area. He said the problem always moves as offenders look for new spots to dump waste.
The Meise area has been dealing with illegal waste dumping along the A12 freeway for a while and continues to do so today. In July 2024, a major illegal dump site along the A12 freeway was discovered at Boskant. The dumpers moved large concrete blocks placed there by the municipality and placed building materials from a deconstruction project on the site.
Officials got rid of more than 8 dump truck loads of illegal waste there on July 17, 2024. People have been caught dumping illegally there regardless of barriers. The surrounding communities have reported many cases of similar illegal dumping at locations such as Nerom, Westrode, and other areas around the A12 freeway, particularly during holidays.
