At the Agency for Facility Operations, we work to reduce the use of disposable packaging. Our focus is on reusing materials.
As little waste as possible
We encourage staff of the Flemish government to bring their own lunch box or coffee mug to work. Reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, lunch boxes, and containers for leftovers are also available for purchase on site.
Phase out and prevent
We prevent disposable packaging by offering sugar in bulk, milk in jugs, and banning individually wrapped cookies. We provide cups and glasses at vending machines and chillers, make maximum use of tap water, and avoid PET bottles.
A complete ban But we go one step further. Disposable packaging for sandwiches, soup, and coffee has been completely eliminated. At the same time, we encourage the use of reusable containers. Through our brochure for meetings and events, we also offer 100% packaging-free options.
If waste does occur, we sort it to create new raw materials. We don’t just encourage our colleagues to sort their waste — we lead by example.
The Agency for Facility Operations aims to set an example within the Flemish government. By actively stimulating the market — consistently requesting reusable packaging — we want to inspire both customers and suppliers.
Lander Van den Heede,
Team Lead Product Management
Our initiatives in detail
No more disposable stirrers, straws, spoons, knives, and forks. We use only stainless steel tableware. Straws have been replaced with long spoons.
No more individually packaged milk cups, sugar sticks, or cookies. We provide milk jugs, sugar dispensers, cakes, and unpackaged cookies, with careful attention to minimizing food waste.
Temporarily, some disposable items may still appear as we use up our existing stock.
Disposable dessert cups have already been completely phased out and replaced with glass bowls or other reusable alternatives.
Disposable soup bowls have been entirely eliminated and replaced with porcelain mugs.
At the coffee machines and water chillers, only reusable glasses and cups are used. This reduces residual waste by 3.3 tons per year!
We provide free (sparkling) water in all restaurants, meeting rooms and workspaces.
Sandwiches prepared on-site for you are always served on a plate. If you want to take your sandwich to go, you can use a lunch box or a reusable sandwich wrap.
Pre-made sandwiches available in the open refrigerated display must be packaged (food safety regulations). No charge of €0.20 applies for this.
We do not cover bread baskets with disposable materials. Desserts, snacks and other treats are always served in reusable containers.
We also have banned milk cups, sugar sticks and individually wrapped cookies. Instead, we provide milk jugs, sugar dispensers and similar alternatives.
When you place a catering order, we will contact you to encourage reducing PET bottle usage and to suggest using glass carafes for water or opting for homemade lemonade in a dispenser.
For take-away, bring your own container. You can also purchase reusable containers at the coffee bars.
Disposable dessert cups are no longer used for desserts we prepare ourselves. They have been replaced with glass bowls or other reusable alternatives. Bowls may occasionally need to be covered with plastic wrap, but we aim to do so only when absolutely necessary.
In the herb corner we have banned individual pepper and salt packets. Instead, pepper and salt grinders are provided, along with a wider selection of herbs. A limited stock of packets may temporarily remain to avoid unnecessary food waste.
You can’t manage what you don’t measure
The figures below illustrate the significant reduction of disposable packaging in our sales:
Year
Number of Disposable Items
Share of Sales
2022
109.841
14%
2023
131.598
13%
2024
90.832
10%
2025
0%
0%
We no longer use disposable cups or bags. A huge step forward in our fight against waste!
