Kluisbergen, The supporters are back home, but here and there is their waste still remaining in the Flemish Ardennes. Especially the Oude Kwaremont in Kluisbergen is transformed into a garbage dump. Flags, cups, cardboard, and even frigoboxen and chairs: it is a sad sight.
A day after the Tour of Flanders follows the general clean-up. This is necessary, because along the trail is a lot of waste. Different youth groups will go Monday on the road to clean. In return they get a fee. “We clean up from 9 hours to 18 hours”, telling the scouts of Sint-Lutgardis Merelbeke. “It’s fun because we are in a group, but it is a pity that it is still needed. Each year, it is argued that the supporters of the waste on the ground may throw, but it is again very this year. We find especially in the public areas a lot of garbage. That’s going to be cups and cigarette packs to glass.” Mayor Philippe Willequet (Gemeentebelangen) is also a shame that there is so much waste left behind on the Oude Kwaremont, but in perspective. “The important thing is that it quickly cleaned up and that is against the afternoon though the case. We see the phenomenon, by the way, every year, that is just the same as on big festivals. In places where many people gather, remains now once waste behind. GAS impose fines is almost impossible on such a day. The only thing we can do is to raise awareness and to every nadar a garbage bag hanging.”
