Asbestos removal challenges persist in Belgium and the Netherlands

In Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Belgium, two large bags containing asbestos-containing material remained on a street since June due to a temporary suspension of subsidies by OVAM. The waste intercommunal Intradura confirmed that collection services have since resumed and the materials are scheduled for removal.

In the Netherlands, the municipality of Raalte is conducting an 'asbestos-free shed week' to encourage residents to remove hazardous materials from outbuildings. The initiative provides safety kits and expert advice to lower the threshold for remediation. While such local actions have successfully reduced asbestos surface area in Raalte over the past eight years, the overall pace of removal has slowed following the removal of previous bans on asbestos roofs. Overijssel province continues to face significant public health risks, with approximately 40,000 suspected asbestos roofs remaining in the region.