A 60-year-old resident, Patrick V., is among the last remaining occupants of a Ghent high-rise building plagued by daily issues including drug utilize, illegal dumping and human waste, according to reports from Nieuwsblad and HLN. The building, located in Ghent, Belgium, has become a focal point for escalating problems related to public order and waste management.
The situation has prompted increased scrutiny from IVAGO, the intermunicipal association responsible for waste management in Ghent and Destelbergen. IVAGO, established in 1994, oversees waste collection and processing for approximately 281,000 residents across the two municipalities. The organization has announced heightened surveillance of illegal dumping in the city center, particularly in response to the growing issues around the tower, according to VRT.
IVAGO’s expanded monitoring comes as the volume of illegally dumped waste continues to accumulate, with residents reportedly accepting fines as a routine cost of disposal. The association, which operates six recycling centers receiving 300,000 visitors annually, is ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental) certified, indicating a commitment to standardized waste management practices. However, the ongoing issues at the residential tower suggest challenges in enforcing these standards.
Patrick V., a finance professional with over 25 years of interim management experience according to his LinkedIn profile, represents a dwindling number of long-term residents within the building. The specific nature of the problems he faces daily – hard drugs, illegal dumping, and human waste – points to a complex interplay of social and environmental issues within the urban environment.
The city of Ghent and the municipality of Destelbergen collaborate through IVAGO for waste management services. IVAGO’s fleet consists of over 200 vehicles, ranging from large collection trucks to electric cars, and employs more than 400 people, including temporary staff. In 2023, the six recycling parks managed by IVAGO underwent significant renovations. Despite these investments, the problems at the tower persist.
IVAGO also provides tailored waste management services to over 4,000 private clients, including businesses, schools, and hospitals. The organization’s responsibilities extend beyond household waste to encompass commercial and institutional waste streams. The increased monitoring of public spaces, as announced by VRT, is intended to address the broader issue of illegal dumping, but the situation at the residential tower remains a particularly acute concern.
According to the Stad Gent website, IVAGO manages household and business waste and operates recycling parks for larger or hazardous items. The city provides resources for residents to understand waste categories – organic waste, residual waste, PMD (plastics, metal, drink cartons), and glass – and collection schedules. The ‘Recycle!’ application is also available to assist residents with proper waste sorting.
