De Haan launches new ‘seagull bags’ to reduce street waste

The municipality issued a call to residents in Wenduine from sector T to participate in the more extensive pilot project with the ‘seagull bag’. Every resident or second resident from that zone can participate and receive five test bags free of charge. In return, participants must fill out a short questionnaire each time their bag is collected.

Reduce street waste

Street litter is a problem that many coastal municipalities have to deal with. The bags are therefore specially made thick enough so that seagulls are less likely to open them. As a result, less waste ends up on the street. (continue reading below the photo)

The bags are darker in color, but it’s mostly about the thickness. “Because the bag is thicker, it is more difficult for the seagull to get into the bag. We notice in the smaller pilot project that the seagull simply gives up and leaves it at that,” says Marleen De Soete, Alderman of waste management in De Haan-Wenduine.

In yet another pilot project, 25 families will now test the new bags. An evaluation will then follow and the bags may also be used elsewhere on the coast.