a photograph of the OVAM building

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OVAM - mission statement and vision

OVAM mission statement

Thanks to the sustainable management of wastes and materials, soil remediation and the prevention of soil pollution, OVAM, the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (Belgium), contributes to a healthier environment and hence a better quality of life.

This contribution consists of:
with regard to the sustainable management of wastes and materials:

  • mapping and analysing material cycles with special emphasis on environmentally harmful materials;
  • developing actions and tools to prevent leakage of materials from these cycles;
  • taking measures to save on raw materials and energy by, where possible, the use of wastes;
  • taking measures and setting up campaigns to encourage sustainable consumption patterns;
  • the promotion of product quality and the quality of production processes with the emphasis on qualitative and quantitative prevention both in terms of use and of raw materials consumption, waste generation and finally the spread of environmentally harmful materials.

With regard to soil remediation and the prevention of soil pollution:

  • the remediation obligation and actual remediation of historical and recent soil pollution;
  • developing actions and tools to encourage voluntary remediation, both at an individual and at a joint level;
  • taking measures to prevent new cases of soil pollution;
  • promoting brownfield development.

OVAM vision

OVAM aims at gaining recognition as the primary contact in Flanders for all matters to do with waste management, environmentally-sound use and consumption of materials and soil remediation in their broadest sense. To fulfil its role OVAM seeks to acquire a unique expertise, which is also recognised internationally.  For all authorities involved in this project, OVAM is the obvious policy partner.

Great efforts are being made to gain recognition for the Flemish policy at an international level and in particular at EU level, so that the input of OVAM and hence of Flanders matters on a larger scale.

With regard to  soil remediation in Flanders, the clean-up ofthe historical pollution remains on schedule, as agreed in the Flemish global environmental plan. Today, remediation mainly occurs on a voluntary basis thanks to a more comprehensive and flexible set of tools. Meanwhile, the appropriate measures have been taken to avoid new soil pollution.

With regard to waste management, we see that the scope has been broadened and that integration increased considerably. The effects of the waste policy are:

  • the closing of material cycles;
  • the prevention of leakage of materials from the material cycles;
  • improved savings on raw materials and energy by using wastes where possible;
  • the promotion of product quality and the quality of production processes, with the emphasis on qualitative and quantitative prevention both in terms of use and of raw materials consumption, waste generation and finally the spread of environmentally harmful materials

OVAM will position itself as an organisation for active environmental management that prefers dialogue to build partnerships and to reach a consensus with its target audience, so that mutual support and capacity is created for a sustainable environment.  OVAM will be recognised as quality caretaker and process manager.

The actions of OVAM are characterised by pragmatism, result- and client-orientedness and efficiency in the use of resources.

At the same time OVAM will achieve its objectives in terms of waste management and materials policy and soil remediation thanks to effective integration in other policy domains and at other managerial levels. Dynamic and constructive cooperation will be sustained with partners within the same policy domain.

OVAM is a dynamic organisation with an enthusiastic team aiming at cooperation and giving their utmost , knowing that their contribution is appreciated.

OVAM assumes responsibility for the protection of the environment at home.