- Intro text: In wind and rain, at night and on holidays, in times of crisis: the work of the Waste Heroes always goes on. And we should be proud of that! That is why we are participating in the Week of Waste Heroes again this week. Will you join in too?
The time has come: from 10 to 16 March, it is the Week of Waste Heroes across the Netherlands. The week in which we will welcome everyone working in waste collection, greenmanagement, cleaning and processing in the spotlight. Because the men and women who work hard every day to keep our region clean and safe are real Heroes! In wind and rain, at night, on public holidays and in times of crisis: our Waste Heroes always keep going. And that is something we can be proud of!
Our Waste Heroes work hard every day to keep our region clean and tidy. Just imagine if they went off work. That waste and raw materials are no longer collected, environmental centres are left unattended and streets are not cleaned. Then our region would soon look heavily polluted. They themselves are often very modest about their work, but they really are indispensable.
Therefore, during the Week of Waste Heroes, we reflect on their efforts, show extra appreciation and invite residents to do the same. Show your appreciation too and let our Heroes know how important they are!
Meet our Waste Heroes at Meet & Greets
At central locations in the region, you can meet our Waste Heroes and see the work up close. Meet the people who keep our region clean and safe, and find out how much fun the work is. Take a ride on the sweeper truck, take a seat in the cabin of a real collection truck or have your picture taken with a Waste Hero.
Children who bring a beautiful drawing or craft will also have a chance to win a fun prize.
Who is the Meet & Greet for?
For anyone who:
- Want to salute our Waste Heroes
- Want to take a closer look at a Waardlanden truck
- Want to sit in the cab of a real collection truck for a while or ride along on a sweeper truck
- Want to drop off a nice drawing or craft (and have a chance to win a fun prize!)
- Who wants their photo taken with a Waardlanden truck or AfvalHeld
- Wanting to express their appreciation for our Waste Heroes
- Has questions about waste prevention and separation
- Enjoys just stopping by
The Waste Heroes from team Education will be at the Meet & Greet moments this week to answer questions about preventing residual waste and separating raw materials at home even better.
Where and when are the meet & greet moments?
Monday 10 March, 15:00 - 16:30
Hardinxveld-Giessendam - Plein Houweningenweer
Tuesday 11 March, 15:00 - 16:30
Hoef en Haag - The Brink
Wednesday 12 March, 15:00 - 16:30
Gorinchem - Parking place shopping centre Hoog Dalem
Friday 14 March, 15:00 - 16:30
Nieuw-Lekkerland - Raadhuisplein 1
During the Meet & Greets, we take photos and videos. Were images taken of you, but would you like us to stop using them? Then send an e-mail to info@waardlanden.nl to withdraw your consent.
Enter the win campaign for young fans
Our Waste Heroes love it when you wave at them or give them the thumbs up when they come to collect your rubbish or sweep the streets. Want to do something extra? Then enter our prize draw!
What can you do?
Make a nice drawing, craft something fun, write a card or take a photo for our Waste Heroes. Anything goes! Turn it in during a Meet & Greet moment and win a fun prize!
How does it work?
- Write your name, age, address, hometown and phone number on your craft.
- Come to one of the Meet & Greets and give your craft to your Waste Hero.
- Can't make it to the Meet & Greet? Send a photo of your entry to afvalhelden@waardlanden.nl. Always include name, age, address, place of residence and phone number.
Why participate?
From all the works, our Waste Heroes will choose 4 winners. These prize winners not only get a nice prize themselves, they also win a delicious cream cake for the whole class and a special visit by our Waste Heroes to school. During this visit, they will present the prize in front of the whole class.
Game rules
A number of ground rules apply. Discuss them with your parents or guardians before joining the action.
- All children from the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden may participate.
- Drop off at one of the Meet & Greets
- Prize winners will be announced by us on this website and on our social media channels
- All prize winners will be notified personally
- All submitted messages, drawings, photos and artworks may be shared by us on our website and social media.
- Photos of prize winners will be taken for our website and social media. By entering the promotion, you agree to this.
Need inspiration?
Our Waste Heroes are happy with everything they get. Not sure what to make? No problem. On the Waste Heroes Week website, you can find useful tips and ideas to put Waste Heroes in the spotlight.
And there's more!
In addition to the 4 Meet & Greets, there is extra attention for all employees:
- We kick off the week together. All employees receive a nice gift as a token of appreciation.
- Later in the week, there will be a social barbecue for all employees.
- We highlight a Waste Hero online this week. More will follow throughout the year, because you are not a Waste Hero for a week, but for the whole year.
- We also take a look behind the scenes at a partner we would like to introduce to you. More such peeks will follow throughout the year.
- The Waardlanden board offered a tasty treat to all AfvalHelden.
- And our board members take a half-day turn with the Waste Heroes and roll up their sleeves.
Help out as a litter picker!
In our region, many residents voluntarily pick up litter lying around. Our Waste Heroes are very grateful to these residents for this. Did you know that if you pick up one piece of litter every day, you will not only help the Waste Heroes, but also the world? Even better: if one in four people in our country pick up a piece of litter every day, after three days there will be almost no litter to pick up.
Want to get involved with this during Waste Heroes Week? Take a rubbish bag(s) with you on a walk. With a pair of gloves and tongs (or a real prod or grabber), your hands will stay clean. Make it a fun outing and go out with family, friends or local residents. Share a photo of the litter you picked up with #garbageheroes.
Find out more about litter picking.
Show your appreciation
You too can express your appreciation. This can be done very simply in your neighbourhood or, for instance, at the waste disposal site: give our people the thumbs up, wait patiently in a side street so the collection truck can pass, or give a compliment. These small gestures make our Waste Heroes smile and bring a circular society one step closer.
Get inspired, use the tips on the website of the Week of Waste Heroes!
We do it together
Everyone working towards a clean, beautiful and safe living environment naturally deserves a thumbs-up. We thank the many litter volunteers in our area. Whether you collect waste paper for your association, regularly pick up litter or help in other ways: you too are Waste Heroes. We also thank our planners, mechanics, customer service staff and all those people behind the scenes who make this wonderful and important work possible! We are proud of each other!
Become a Waste Hero too?
Would you like to contribute to a beautiful, clean living environment in our region together with enthusiastic colleagues? Then consider a job at Waardlanden. We regularly have great vacancies. Keep an eye on the Working at Waardlanden in the eye. Who knows, you might soon be working as a Waste Hero too.
- Intro text: The holidays are over and the Christmas trees have been cleared away again. Every year, fewer and fewer trees are handed in. We were curious to know why. Therefore, in our newsletter, we asked how you decorated your homes and what happened to the trees after the holidays.
The holidays are over and the Christmas trees have been cleared away again. Every year, fewer and fewer trees are handed in. We were curious to know why. That is why we asked in our newsletter how you decorated your house and what happened to the trees after the holidays. Not very many people responded, but the answers still provide nice insights and tips. We are happy to share them.
Christmas tree or not?
The Christmas tree remains the centrepiece of the festive season for many people. Almost half had a real tree last year. Many people also have an artificial Christmas tree (38%). Only 15% did nothing to decorate.
What happened to the real Christmas trees after the holidays?
Most gave the Christmas tree to children or brought it themselves to one of our collection points. A third still had the tree at home or in the garden at the time of the flash poll.
Everyone who handed in the tree felt this went easily. Yet we asked how it could be even better. In response, half said it would be nice if there was longer time to hand in the tree. "I leave my tree until Epiphany, but by then the collection will have been over," she said. The others are fine with it as it is. "That children collect trees and can earn something from it, I think it's a super nice idea!"
And next year?
Real Christmas trees remain popular, but almost half opt for a more sustainable option this coming festive season. These tips from our readers help with that.
- Tree with root ball: put it outside again after the holidays. "This is the fourth year I've used the same tree!"
- Second-hand artificial tree: "We bought our artificial tree on Marktplaats. Cheaper and better for the environment!"
Keeping up?
Stay updated and receive tips on less waste and even better separation? Subscribe to our newsletter.
- Intro text: Together with the four municipalities, we are working to keep textiles out of residual waste. By 2024, more has already been collected than in 2023, but still almost half is thrown away. That can be done differently!
Together with the four municipalities, we want to prevent textiles from ending up in residual waste. More textiles will be collected in 2024 than in 2023, but still almost half of the discarded textiles will be thrown away instead of reused or recycled. This can be done differently.
Textile collection by municipality
Residents of the four municipalities collected a large amount of textiles together. This not only contributes to recycling, but also saves raw materials and energy. The figures per municipality:
Gorinchem: 132,000 kilos in 2024 (123,000 kilos in 2023)
Hardinxveld-Giessendam: 55,000 kilos in 2024 (51,000 kilos in 2023)
Molenlanden: 188,000 kilos in 2024 (163,000 kilos in 2023)
Vijfheerenlanden: 251,000 kilos in 2024 (235,000 kilos in 2023)
Many collected clothes are still in good condition and are given a second life through second-hand shops. Textiles that are no longer wearable are processed into new products such as cleaning rags and insulation material.
Why don't textiles belong in residual waste?
Although textile collection is increasing, almost half of discarded textiles still end up in the incinerator. Thus, valuable raw materials are lost forever.
The new legislation, Extended Producer Responsibility, states that the Netherlands must collect 50% more textiles over the next five years. This will only be possible if everyone participates. Fortunately, the Netherlands is already a leader in textile collection, but there is still room for improvement.
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.
Big environmental gain
Thanks to textile collection in the four municipalities, major environmental gains have been made. Together, residents saved more than 6.7 million kilos of CO2 and over 423 million litres of water. This is equivalent to thousands of tankers full of water and a traffic jam of dozens of kilometres. This shows how much water is needed to produce new textiles and why reuse and recycling are so important.
Fighting waste together
Textiles have a big impact on the environment. If we dispose of it incorrectly, valuable raw materials are lost. This is easy to prevent: all textiles can go in the special collection container, whether broken or not. By returning textiles separately, we reduce waste and save raw materials. You can throw it in a textile container in your neighbourhood or hand it in at one of our environmental centres using the environmental pass. Do you still have good textiles? Give it a second life. Donate it, sell it or bring it to the Kringloopplein, the thrift shop or the gift shop.
Together, we make a difference!
- Intro text: Sven is 12 years old and has a special hobby: he makes lamps from old appliances. With his creative projects, he wants to show that you can make something new and beautiful out of old stuff. He also hopes to inspire people to be more environmentally aware and not just throw everything away.
Sven is a 12-year-old boy with a special hobby: he makes lamps from old appliances. Together with his father, who makes lamps from tree trunks, he often works on creative projects. With his lamps, Sven wants to show that you can make something new and beautiful out of old appliances. With his special hobby, he hopes to inspire people to throw things away less quickly and to be more environmentally aware.
How it began
His passion for making unusual lamps arose when his uncle gave him an old computer screen. 'I wanted to do something with lamps, just like my father, and this seemed like a good start. From that computer screen I made my very first lamp, I liked it so much that I never stopped. For me, it is important to reuse old stuff. I think it's a shame how much is thrown away. That's why I try to give appliances a second life. It's not only fun to do, but also better for the environment.'
From old appliance to new lamp
The process of making a lamp starts with an idea. Sven checks whether the device is big enough to make a socket in it and whether it can hold a cord. If it can, he fetches he takes out the parts he does not need at that moment. In fact, he uses those later for other projects. Then he fixes the fitting and cord, adds a switch and plug and tests if everything works. It takes an average of six hours to make a lamp.
Sven says his hobby can sometimes be quite challenging. 'Every device is different, so I often have to be creative,' Sven says. His most difficult project so far? A lamp made from an old cordless drill. 'I made a mistake when I took it apart, which made it much more complicated. But I didn't give up and eventually it worked.'
Inspiration and dreams for the future
Sven draws inspiration from others. At a market, he met a man who makes lamps from old cameras. 'Super cool! But my biggest source of inspiration remains my father.' He makes beautiful lamps from driftwood and tree trunks. So together they share their ideas and work on beautiful projects.
Reactions to his lamps are always positive. People find them original and fun. They also see how things can get a second life, which inspires them to get creative themselves. That motivates Sven to keep going. He sells his lamps on Facebook and Instagram and sometimes stands at markets. His dream? Reaching more people, being at fairs more often and maybe even advertising his lamps.
Getting started with old stuff yourself? Sven gives tips
- Use your imagination and look closely at what you have.
- Don't just throw something away; maybe you can make something new out of it.
- Have fun in what you do and try to make something beautiful out of it.
Sven hopes his story will inspire people to also do something sustainable and creative. Because together we can make the world a little better!
- Intro text: In our region, there are many avid Zappers who do everything they can to keep it clean and tidy. And great initiatives are still emerging. Earlier this year, for instance, Paul Glorie and a group of residents of the new residential complex Het Spoel in Gorinchem had a super idea: keep the neighbourhood clean together.
In our region, there are many avid zappers who do everything they can to keep it clean and tidy. And great initiatives are still emerging. Earlier this year, for instance, Paul Glorie and a group of residents of the new residential complex Het Spoel in Gorinchem had a super idea: keeping the neighbourhood clean together. They wanted to create a nice, clean environment where everyone feels comfortable. What started as a small idea soon became an enthusiastic project in which many local residents enjoy participating.
Young and old in action together
With the slogan "A clean Spoel gives a tidy feeling", Paul and his neighbours regularly go out to clean up litter. Armed with litter picks and bags, they collect cans, packaging and other litter to keep the neighbourhood looking tidy. It also brings residents closer together. Children often enjoy helping. Older residents find it fun and a good way to stay active.
A radiant neighbourhood thanks to Paul and his litter buddies
The result is impressive. Around the Het Spoel residential complex and the streets around it, it looks radiant. The residents are proud of that. Paul's initiative shows that you can achieve a lot for your neighbourhood with a small idea. We are very grateful to Paul and his litter mates for their efforts, and hope that this initiative inspires others to join in too. Who knows, we might soon see more local residents, like Paul, making their neighbourhood a bit cleaner.
- Intro text: Wow! More than 5,100 people took part in our survey on waste between 30 December 2024 and 27 January 2025. That is a record and we are very happy about it.
Wow! More than 5,100 residents participated in our survey on waste between 30 December 2024 and 27 January 2025. That is a record, and we are very happy about it.
Valuable insights
All these answers will give us a better picture of what is going well and what could be improved. That way, we can work together on smart solutions to reduce waste and separate it even better.
How to proceed now?
Independent research firm Avalon is now reviewing all responses. We will share the results with you around the summer.
Thank you again for your time and opinion. Together we will ensure a waste-free and clean region.
- Intro text: Residents could hand in their Christmas trees between 27 December and 11 January at collection sites, the environmental street or the Kringloopplein in Nieuw-Lekkerland. Each real Christmas tree earned a 50-cent reward.
Between 27 December and 11 January, a total of 6918 Christmas trees were collected in the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden. Of these, as many as 5522 trees (79.8%) were handed in at the collection locations on 3 and 4 January. The remaining 1396 trees (20.2%) were taken to the environmental centres.
A nice pocket money and a clean neighbourhood
Every real Christmas tree - without wooden cross, pot, nails and decoration - earned a 50-cent reward. For many children, this was the chance to go out into the neighbourhood and collect trees with friends during the Christmas holidays. Behind the bike, on foot or with the help of parents or carers, the trees were handed in at the various collection locations. This way, they not only earned a nice pocket money, but also helped to keep the neighbourhood clean and tidy.
What happens to the Christmas trees?
The trees handed in were shredded immediately and processed into valuable raw materials such as compost, green gas and ground cover. Some of the bedding went to a nearby farm. There, it serves as a lovely warm and fragrant bed for the cows in the free-range barn. When cow manure is added, it composts. This compost can later be spread on the land again. Thus, discarded Christmas trees are not waste, but a valuable raw material.
Together we make a difference
With 6918 Christmas trees collected, we ensure a tidy start to the year. The Christmas tree collection is a great example of cooperation between residents, contractors and Waardlanden. We thank everyone who handed in a Christmas tree. Together we prevent waste and make a difference.
- Intro text: We regularly put someone in the limelight who works for a cleaner neighbourhood. This time it is litter picker Dick Roodhorst from Ameide. Dick talks enthusiastically about what drives him and why he enjoys helping.
We regularly put someone in the limelight who works for a cleaner neighbourhood. This time it is Dick Roodhorst from Ameide. He has been picking up litter since he retired in 2021. This way, he enjoys being outdoors and being useful at the same time. Dick talks enthusiastically about what drives him and why he enjoys helping.
- Intro text: Do you ever wonder in which waste bin a product or material belongs? Our waste separation guide helps! You can now download it in as many as eight different languages. You can print it out and put it in a handy place at home. Then you will always know in which container to put your raw materials.
Do you ever wonder in which waste bin a product or material belongs? Our waste separation guide helps! You can now download it in as many as eight different languages. You can print it out and put it in a handy place at home. Then you will always know in which container to put your raw materials.
With the campaign Nice and tidy we help residents further reduce waste and separate it even better. This way, less residual waste remains to be incinerated at high cost and as many raw materials as possible can be recycled. Proper separation of waste and raw materials is important to give a second life to as many materials as possible. This way, waste becomes raw material again. All help and tips we have collected for you on the campaign page.
Make waste separation easier
Not sure where something belongs? Then use the handy separation guide in the Waardlanden app. This way you always have all information about waste and raw materials to hand. Prefer a paper waste separation guide in another language? You can view the waste separation guide in as many as eight languages, download it and print it out if necessary. Then you can hang it up in a handy place at home and quickly see what belongs where.
- Download the handy waste separation guide in Dutch
- Download the handy waste sorting guide in Arabic
- Download the handy waste sorting guide in English
- Download the handy waste sorting guide in Ukrainian
- Download the handy waste sorting guide in Polish
- Download the handy waste sorting guide in Romanian
- Download the handy waste sorting guide in Spanish
- Download the handy waste sorting guide in Turkish
- Intro text: Do you have textiles you no longer wear and use yourself? Then don't throw it in the rubbish. But give it a new life. Find out what you can do with your discarded textiles.
Unfortunately, 7 kg of textiles per person still end up in residual waste every year and eventually end up in the incinerator. This is a shame and, of course, not the intention. Give discarded textiles a new life too or put them in the textile collection container for recycling.
Give your textiles a new lease of life
Over the next few weeks, many people are clearing out their cupboards again. Do you have textiles you no longer wear or use yourself? Never throw it in the residual waste. There are so many better options. Give your reusable clothes, shoes, coats, bags, sheets, towels and cuddly toys to someone who can put them to good use, or sell them (online). You can also bring it to the Kringlooplein, the thrift shop or the gift shop. There are also regular special clothing fairs and swap markets where you can exchange your items. This is how you give your textiles a new life!
Collection containers for textiles
You can also bring textiles to one of our environmental centres or put them in the special collection container for textiles in your neighbourhood. Worn and broken fabrics are also allowed there. Clothes, shoes, coats, bags, sheets, towels, curtains and even cuddly toys are welcome.
Most sustainable solution for your textiles
At textile collector Sympany, the collected textiles are sorted and prepared for the next phase. Most (around 73%) of the collected textiles can be reused. This is the most sustainable solution. The rest of the textiles follow the recycling route. From this, new yarns or insulation materials, for example, are made.
Help out and return textiles clean and dry
Textiles are a major environmental burden. When textiles are disposed of incorrectly, we waste a lot of precious resources. Collecting textiles separately and reusing them is best for our planet. Do put your textiles clean and dry in a sealed plastic bag so the textiles don't get wet. Are you unsure whether or not a material is allowed in the textile container? Then take a look at waardlanden.nl/textiles. Or view the separation guide on our website or in the Waardlanden app.
