Ivago Waste Crisis.. Untouched Garbage Piles Up Amid Fierce Ghent Strike Protest

Ivago Waste Crisis: Garbage Piles Up During Ghent Strike

The Gentse Feestendag faced an unexpected challenge as overflowing trash bags cluttered Kortrijksepoortstraat, sparking concerns over hygiene and vandalism during festivities.

Marie Dupont4 hours agoLast Update : 4 hours ago

“Ivago, kom ons redden!” Niet opgehaald afval stapelt zich op na staking tegen besparingen in Gent

www.nieuwsblad.be

The first day of the Gentse Feesten on 2025-07-19 21:30:00 was marred by an unexpected challenge: piles of uncollected rubbish along the Kortrijksepoortstraat-Nederkouter, a key route to the city centre. Due to an ongoing Ivago strike, thousands of visitors encountered sidewalks cluttered with full garbage bags, dampening the festive atmosphere.

6 Key Takeaways

Ivago strike leaves streets littered with trash
Residents and students neglect bringing in bags
Passersby add empty cans to garbage piles
Local businesses suffer from unsightly waste
Merchants urge Ivago for earlier pickup
Concerns rise over smell and vandalism

Local businesses, including the Kringwinkel and nearby eateries, found themselves struggling with the mounting waste. Despite calls to bring bins back inside until the next collection, many bags remained outside, partly because students and travellers living in cramped apartments lacked storage space. How can the city balance the spirit of the Gentse Feesten with maintaining cleanliness?

As visitors enjoyed the celebrations, the growing rubbish raised concerns about hygiene and safety, prompting calls for Ivago to expedite waste collection. This situation leads US to ask: what impact will this have on the festival’s reputation and local community? Here’s a quick overview.

Fast Answer: The Ivago strike left Gentse Feesten’s main access strewn with rubbish on 2025-07-19, causing local businesses distress and urgent calls for earlier waste pickups to protect the festival’s lively spirit.

Is the waste issue a temporary hiccup or a sign of deeper challenges? While strikes are not uncommon, their timing during major events can severely affect public perception and local commerce. Key points include:

Students and travellers’ limited space contributes to rubbish remaining outside
Passersby adding to litter worsens the problem
Local shops fear foul smells and attracting vandalism
Businesses urge Ivago to schedule earlier collections, possibly by the weekend

Ivago’s strike highlights the vulnerability of city services during major Belgian festivals, emphasizing the need for contingency plans to maintain public cleanliness and safety.

Looking ahead, it’s crucial for city authorities and waste services to collaborate closely, ensuring swift rubbish removal during the Gentse Feesten. Can Gent rise to the challenge and keep its streets clean while celebrating one of Belgium’s biggest cultural events? The coming days will tell.