2023-11-26 04:45:00
Residents of the commune of Namur were surprised to see the garbage collectors ringing their doorbell on… November 17, for end-of-year gifts. Although it may seem early, they are indeed allowed to come and ring your doorbell. The same goes for the Central region, where Hygea workers began their door-to-door collection a good week ago. This is not done everywhere. In the Huy region, for example, this is done in certain municipalities, but not in others.
At a time when scams and fraud are rampant, worry is omnipresent when people come to our homes to ask for a little money. We can read expressions of concern on social networks: “People have already come to my house for New Years, is that normal?”, “I had no money so they told me that they would come back, that worries me! »
from November 15 until January 15
Rest assured: overall, the New Year tour for waste collectors is authorized between November 15 and January 15. But often this is done in December. In Mons for example, it only starts after Sainte-Barbe, on December 4. In Somme-Leuze, in the province of Namur, nothing before December 15. But in some places, we launch as early as mid-November.
“It is the workers themselves who organize their collection. But things are framed by the BEP environment,” explains the communications department of the BEP environment of Namur. Their action must be done outside of their working hours, every day of the week, except Sunday and before 6:30 p.m. If these conditions are respected, but you still doubt the identity of the canvassers, do not hesitate to ask for the identification card that the City provides to its workers. This specifies the harvest conditions and is signed by the director of the BEP environment. The photo of the worker can be affixed there. Some will present it to you spontaneously. “You really shouldn’t be afraid to ask for it,” insists the BEP.
In the Central region, to reassure the population in the face of scams, waste collectors are often provided with a pay slip. In the Brussels region, Brussels Propreté agents are authorized to request gifts. “Every year, we receive a flyer in the box a few weeks before to help us recognize the officers in our neighborhood. And Bruxelles Propreté gives advice on how to recognize agents and distinguish them from impostors,” comments Isabelle, a Brussels resident.
“a map and a fluorescent vest”
We met one of these garbage collectors from the Namur region who valiantly, every day, collects the residents’ trash. “From our point of view, we see this as a gesture of thanks from people. With my team, after each New Year tour, we get together in the van, we put everything together and we share. We can receive around €50 each per evening. This is a type of tip authorized by the state and therefore, it should not be declared. We generally have a restaurant at the end of the period as a reward! And yes, we always have the card with us and the BEP fluorescent vest.”
Overall, things are still going well. “We have our regulars who make us a little coffee. We stop at their place for a bit. Previously, workers sometimes stopped at people’s houses who offered them gifts during their work. This is no longer allowed. You must first ensure your work,” explains Mathieu Urbain, senior CGSP delegate at Hygea.
No impact on your waste collection
It is therefore a “dringuelle” and it is in no way obligatory. Therefore, you cannot be asked for a precise amount. The BEP of Namur reminds that this remains a voluntary gesture and that if you do not wish to give to the workers who knock on your door, this will in no way impact your collection of household waste. Even if Thomas, from Walcourt, tells us that “in my town, they come every year and it’s frowned upon not to give.”
Generally speaking, and according to the police, the majority of trades come to your doors in uniform with the logo of the company for which they work and they have a legitimation card. The postman may also come to your home. But the police and firefighters are prohibited from going door to door. Above all, never let touts enter your home!
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