• Intro text: The end of October is the time of the branch route! You can register by phone to have up to 2 m³ of bulky garden waste collected free of charge. But be quick, because full is full!

The end of October is the time of the branch route! You can sign up to have up to 2 m³ of bulky garden waste collected for free. But be quick, because full is full! You can register by phone on working days on 0183 68 11 11.

The route

The branch route looks as follows:

• Monday, October 27, 2025 - Ameide, Hei- en Boeicop, Leerbroek, Leerdam, Lexmond, Meerkerk, Nieuwland, Tienhoven aan de Lek and Vianen.
• Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - Bleskensgraaf, Brandwijk, Goudriaan, Liesveld, Molenaarsgraaf, Nieuw-Lekkerland, Ottoland, Oud-Alblas and Wijngaarden.
• Thursday, October 30, 2025 - Arkel, Giessenburg, Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Hoogblokland, Hoornaar, Noordeloos and Schelluinen.

How does it work?

• Make a collection appointment for the branch route. Without an appointment, your bulky garden waste will not be collected.
• Place your bulky garden waste at the edge of the public road by 7.30am on the agreed day. Do not put it on your own property or near the collection containers.
• Make sure it is a maximum of 2 m³ and make handy bundles with sisal rope.
• Bundles may be up to 1.50 metres long and 25 kilograms in weight.
• Note: no stumps, grass sods, wooden poles, fences and boxes or bags of prunings.

The next branch route will be in March 2026. You can sign up again from the beginning of March.

• Intro text: Autumn has begun. Time to put away your breezy summer clothes and grab the warm jumpers and scarves. But what about the clothes you never wear anymore? These three steps will help you organise your wardrobe and give the clothes you no longer wear a second life.

Autumn has begun. Time to put away your breezy summer clothes and grab the warm jumpers and scarves. But what about the clothes you never wear anymore? These three steps will help you organise your wardrobe and give the clothes you no longer wear a second life.

Three steps to a tidy closet

Grab three bins or bags and make piles:

1. Love - this will make you happy
2. Doubt - try on, then decide
3. Get rid of it - to the textile container, thrift shop or giveaway group

What is allowed in the textile container?

All textiles are welcome in the collection containers specifically for textiles, including worn or broken clothes and household textiles. Towels, tablecloths, bedding and even soft toys can simply be handed in. Many people hesitate about this, but separating textiles helps to reuse and recycle them better. Do tie the bag tightly to avoid wet textiles.

Textiles do not belong in residual waste

Yet it still happens often. Broken clothes, socks with holes, old towels or sheets: all too often, they still end up in residual waste containers. This is unnecessary, because textiles collected separately are given a second life - even if they are broken and no longer wearable.

Together through the seasons

By using textiles consciously, you reduce waste and help create a waste-free future. This way, we go through the seasons together - ensuring a clean environment and less waste.

So: put on that warm jumper, make a cup of tea and give your closet a fresh start. Small effort, big difference.

• Intro text: Every day, our Waste Heroes work extremely hard to keep the region clean, tidy and safe. Often in the background, but always indispensable. One of them is supervisor Kees. He is on the road every day to keep our region tidy and clean. Curious about his work? Watch the video.

Every day, our Waste Heroes work extremely hard to keep the region clean, tidy and safe. Often in the background, but always indispensable. One of them is supervisor Kees. He is on the road every day to keep our region tidy and clean. In this video, Kees shows what his work entails and how it contributes to a clean and safe living environment. 

Commitment to a clean neighbourhood

As a waste and resources policy supervisor, Kees deals with waste and items put next to collection containers. He takes immediate action when a report comes in. Assesses the situation and looks for clues to trace the owner of the waste. Then he makes sure that the waste is cleaned up quickly to keep the neighbourhood clean and tidy.

"The best part is when residents say we are doing a good job," Kees says. Litter next to containers creates a nuisance. It is not only dirty and messy, but also unsafe and attracts pests. That is why it is important to throw waste in the container - not next to it.

You are a Waste Hero not only during the Week of Waste Heroes, but throughout the year. That is why we put different colleagues in the spotlight throughout the year. Because behind every clean street and container are professionals like Kees. Curious about his working day? Watch the video below.

• Intro text: It's Waste-Free Week, and that means: get more out of what you already have. What do you do with that half a courgette, that leftover pasta or that last slice of cheese? With a little creativity, you can put something new on the table with it.

It's Wastefree Week, and that means: get more out of what you already have. Because what do you do with that half courgette, that leftover pasta or that last slice of cheese? Many people throw it away. That's a shame, because with a little creativity you can put something new on the table. And that not only saves waste, but also money.

Leftovers and leftovers

We call it leftovers or leftovers. The difference? Leftovers are ingredients that have not been used completely, such as a quarter of a cucumber or some overripe fruit. Leftovers are what is left over after dinner: a scoop of rice, half a casserole or a bowl of soup.

The trick is in smart storage as well as planning:

• Put leftovers in the fridge or freezer immediately. This will keep them good and avoid wasting.
• Think about what you can do with it. On the Nutrition Centre's website, you can find recipes based on what you have left in the house.
• Give old bread or ripe fruit a second life. Make croutons, French toast or a dessert with fruit through yoghurt.
• Pay close attention to hygiene. Let leftovers cool quickly, store them in a sealed container and heat through well when reheating.
• Use your senses. Dairy or cheese past its date? Look, smell and taste. Often it can still be used just fine.
• Note the difference between THT and TGT. Products with a TGT date, such as meat or fish, are no longer safe after the date.
• Know what you are storing. Leftovers will keep for about 2 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. Put a date on it so you know where you stand.
• Reheated again? Throw away leftovers afterwards. Reheating twice is no longer safe. So eat what you heat up.

Looking for more ideas?

Download the handy graphic from the Nutrition Centre with four ideas for making up leftovers: soup, salad, omelette or stir-fry. Every leftover you save, every leftover you reuse, counts. Less food waste means less waste, less waste of raw materials and less burden on the environment. By being smart with what we already have, we make a big difference together - simply in our own kitchen. 

• Intro text: It's Waste-Free Week! You are joining in, aren't you? In the Netherlands, we waste much more food than we think. On average, as much as 33 kilos per person per year! Time to do something about it. Therefore, from 8 to 14 September, take part in the Wastefree Week.

Did you know that we often waste more food than we think? On average about 33 kilos per person per year for all Dutch together, that's 23 million meals per week. So there is still a lot to be gained. So join in the Wastefree Week from 8 to 14 September. For instance, by cooking what needs to be eaten first. And by knowing how to deal with best-before dates.

Do you sometimes doubt whether something is still good to eat? You are not the only one. A lot of food gets thrown away because we have outlived its shelf-lifedate too literally. While often more is possible than you think. If you know the difference between THT and THT, you can make the right choice faster. So you avoid waste and your food stays safe.

THT - Best before

You can often still eat products with a THT date after the date. Think of biscuits, pasta, rice, dairy or cheese. The taste or texture may deteriorate slightly, but it is usually still fine. Look, smell and taste. Does it look good? Then you can often still eat it.

TGT - Use until

This is written on perishable products, such as meat, fish and pre-cut vegetables. These products are no longer safe to eat after the date. They can make you ill. So use these products in time or freeze them before the date.

5 tips to be smart about shelf life

1. Look carefully at the type of date THT says something about quality. TGT is about safety.
2. Use your senses. With THT: Does it smell good, look good and taste normal? Then you can usually still eat it.
3. Freeze TGT products on time. Want to store them longer? Do so before the TGT date.
4. Take care after opening. A product that has been opened spoils faster. Then look not only at the date, but also at how long it has been open.
5. Use the Food Centre storage guide. In it, you can see exactly how long you can store something. Handy for the kitchen!

Wasting less together

A lot of food is thrown away unnecessarily because people do not understand the best-before date. By looking better and storing smarter, together we make a difference. That way, we can reduce waste and waste fewer raw materials. Good for your wallet and good for the environment.

• Intro text: Friday 20 September is World Clean-up Day, the world's biggest clean-up campaign. People everywhere will take to the streets to clean up litter. Lieke calls on people to help too. Adults, children, neighbours and friends: together we make the neighbourhood cleaner!

Litter does not belong on the streets or in nature. Children's mayor Lieke from Gorinchem agrees. "Animals can get entangled in it or get sick from eating microplastics. Heartbreaking," she says. "We have to do something about that!"

Together for a clean neighbourhood

Friday 20 September is World Clean-up Day, the world's biggest clean-up campaign. People everywhere will take to the streets to clean up litter. Lieke calls on people to help too. Adults, children, neighbours and friends: together we make the neighbourhood cleaner!

Together with environmental coach Nelleke, Lieke made a short video. In it, she explains why it is important to keep your surroundings clean. And that cleaning up can actually be fun - especially if you do it together.

Will you also join us on 20 September?

Grab a rubbish bag, put on gloves and go out. Together with your (grand)child, neighbourhood boy or girl, pick up litter in the street, park or around school. Together, we can make a difference. For a cleaner neighbourhood and a nicer living environment.

• Intro text: In a new edition of "Litter picker in the spotlight", we introduce Tim to you. Tim is 15 years old and helps keep his neighbourhood clean. "For a few years now, I have been making regular rounds through my neighbourhood to pick up litter," Tim says enthusiastically.

In this edition of "Litter picker in the spotlight", we introduce Tim to you. Tim is 15 years old and helps keep his neighbourhood clean. "For a few years now, I have been making regular rounds through my neighbourhood to pick up litter," Tim says enthusiastically.

Dream of becoming a rubbish collector

Tim has a big dream for the future: 'I would like to become a rubbish collector later and my dream job would be a workplace at Waardlanden. By picking up litter in my neighbourhood, I can already help Waardlanden a little and contribute to a cleaner environment.' Tim shows that you can make a difference at a young age.

'Just clean up your own mess!'

Tim is annoyed by people who just throw away their rubbish: 'I find it very careless of people to throw so much rubbish on the street. I would say to them: 'Just clean up your own mess!' He hopes people will pay better attention and throw their rubbish in the bin.

Deposits and a clean neighbourhood

Tim has found a clever way to earn a little extra: 'I keep the cans and bottles with deposit money separate. I return these to the shop. That way, I get something out of it too.' So Tim not only helps to keep the neighbourhood clean, he also earns a penny.

Help from Waardlanden

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. 'From Waardlanden, I received an extra-long waste grab. So now I can grab waste even better at ditches and bushes!' This allows Tim to do his job even better.

Tim's message to everyone

Tim has a clear message: 'I hope to continue this for a long time. But better would be if everyone just throws their rubbish in the bin.' Let's all follow his example and keep our environment clean.

Thank you, Tim, for your amazing efforts. You are a real hero in your neighbourhood!

• Intro text: Throw packaging in the PMD bin, but only if it is really empty. Only then can we recycle and re-use the material properly. With the national campaign "As long as it goes empty! - from 25 August to 7 September, we are drawing extra attention to the proper disposal of packaging.

Did you know that one half-full package can prevent an entire container of plastic packaging, metal packaging (cans) and beverage cartons (pmd) from being recycled? Then the packaging still ends up in the incinerator - along with valuable raw materials we want to reuse. That's a shame about the effort - and the raw materials. With the national campaign "As long as it goes empty! - from 25 August to 7 September, we are drawing extra attention to the proper disposal of packaging.

Only empty packaging belongs to pmd

Throw packaging in the PMD bin, but only if it is really empty. Only then can we recycle the material properly and re-use it for new products. Squeeze, scrape, slurp or empty - it doesn't matter how you do it, as long as it is empty. This way, you prevent waste and help us separate waste better.

Why this campaign?

Many people want to separate their waste properly, but it still sometimes goes wrong. Research shows that 1 in 3 Dutch people sometimes throw away packaging that is not yet empty. And only 55% know that packaging really has to be empty before it can be disposed of with PMD.

There is also confusion about what exactly belongs to pmd. As a result, properly recyclable packaging sometimes ends up with residual waste - and valuable raw materials are still lost.

More than half of people are unsure about plastic tubs with cream cheese, for example, crisp bags with an aluminium inner layer and aluminium trays from takeaway food, for example. Many people also think you have to rinse packaging first. This is unnecessary and actually wastes drinking water.

So the will is definitely there. Three quarters of people want to do it right and say they usually empty packaging. But with the right knowledge and small actions, together we can retain more value and burn less waste.

In doubt? Check the label or our pmd list

It is not always clear what can or cannot go with the pmd. In doubt? Take a look at the separation guide or on the label of the packaging. There you will increasingly find the discard guide logo - a handy aid to help you dispose of packaging correctly.

Want to know more about the national campaign? Check out  www.verpact.nl/verpakkingleeg 

• Intro text: In the Haar neighbourhood in Gorinchem, Corrie Sterk has been involved in a clean neighbourhood since she was young. The love for a clean living environment was instilled in her from home. Read her inspiring story here.

In the Haar neighbourhood in Gorinchem, Corrie Sterk has been involved in a clean neighbourhood since she was young. She inherited the love for a clean living environment from home. "My father used to walk down the street with an empty bread bag. Anything he found on the pavement or in the bushes, he would pick up and throw in the dustbin at home. He set a good example to his five daughters. The seed was planted."  

Actively involved

Corrie - like her sisters - is still actively involved in environmental and living issues. From the Milieuwinkel in Middelburg to the Geefwinkel in Burgstraat, the involvement runs deep. "But one plastic bag on a round isn't enough nowadays. Society has changed. There is more waste ánd people's attitudes have changed. Many people think: what happens outside my door is not my concern."

Don't wait, but deal with it

Corrie thinks differently. She walks and picks up, stands in the Give shop, reports additional placements to Waardlanden - and cleans up bags and litter using her litter pass. "The lines of communication are short and clear. That makes it easy to really do something." Meetings with other zappers also give her energy to keep going. "Together you are stronger. It's nice to know you're not the only one."

Sometimes she gets strange questions. Whether she has community service. Whether she has to do this for her benefits. "No way," says Corrie. "I do this because I think it's important. Because I want to contribute to a liveable neighbourhood."

Zapping with the grandchildren

And she doesn't do it alone. Every Thursday, her grandchildren come by - and the buckets are ready and waiting. Corrie has bought special meat tongs, as they grip just a bit finer than a gripper. The children are aged between 3 and 11 and all join in. The youngest rides ahead on his tractor and points out the spots. On the way, they empty the buckets into the bins. "And when we use the litter pass at a collection container, the party is: 'I want!' 'No, it's my turn!'"

Together for a cleaner neighbourhood

Together, they keep their neighbourhood clean and set a good example. For themselves, for each other and for future generations.

• Intro text: A crazy project by group 5B of De Schakel primary school. Pupils went into the neighbourhood, investigated litter and collected bags full of it. From their finds, they made colourful whale. On 15 July, they handed over their work of art to us. A strong symbol for awareness and a cleaner environment.

Bags full of litter. An investigation into what's on the streets. And finally: a large colourful whale made from litter. Pupils from group 5b of primary school De Schakel in Nieuw-Lekkerland made serious work of it in recent weeks. On Tuesday 15 July, they handed over their work of art to us.

The pupils went into the neighbourhood themselves and investigated what kinds of rubbish lay where. From beer cups to cigarette butts, cardboard, construction waste and even an old car tyre: it was all in their own neighbourhood. They processed their findings in a report and in a striking work of art: a whale made of litter.

"When we saw what was lying around, we wanted to do something with it," says a pupil from group 5b. "It doesn't belong in nature. We wanted to make something that shows that clearly."

On 15 July, the whale was officially handed over to our director, Jürgen Rau and education officer Wessel Keizer. "What these students have done goes to the heart of our education work," says Jürgen Rau.  "They picked up litter, thought about it and turned it into something positive. That is exactly what we want to achieve with the Waste-Free Schools programme: children discovering for themselves why waste and resources matter and that every action - no matter how small - makes a difference every day. We hope this will encourage other schools to get started too. We are happy to help."

Waste-free schools programme

De Schakel's project is in line with the objectives of the Waste-Free Schools programme, through which we have supported primary schools in the region to educate about waste, the environment and behaviour since 2014. We help schools with teaching materials, collection tools, guest lessons and excursions. In return, they do not have to pay for separate waste collection. Some 80% of primary schools in the region are now affiliated. Keizer says: "We make materials and our knowledge available free of charge to schools that want to get started with waste and raw materials. Whether you are just starting out or are already more advanced - we are happy to think along with you."

The Whale of The Switch will have a visible place in our office. Not just as a work of art, but as a lasting symbol for a generation learning to look differently at waste and raw materials.