• Intro text: By separating waste properly, you'll have less residual waste. But how can you easily do this? Did you know you can start doing this in your kitchen and bathroom?

By separating your waste properly, you'll have less residual waste. But how can you easily do this? Did you know you can start doing this in your kitchen and bathroom? In this blog post, we'll explain several different terms. What does organic waste (GFT) mean? What goes in the residual waste? And where do (small) electrical appliances and batteries belong? We'll also give you handy tips on how to easily separate waste to reduce residual waste.

What is organic waste?

Gft is vegetable, fruit and garden waste and comes mainly from the kitchen. Think of vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, fish bones, and small bones. But also flowers, plants, grass, and leaves. Paper towels (without printing) with food scraps or leftover juice can also go in the organic waste bin. But be careful: packaging from meat, fish, or cheese does not belong in the organic waste. Don't throw plastic, paper, or other waste in the organic waste. This disrupts recycling and can end up in nature and water via compost.

What is PMD?

PMD stands for plastic packaging, metal packaging, and beverage cartons. This waste comes primarily from kitchens and bathrooms. Think of empty plastic bottles, cans, yogurt cartons, aluminum trays, tin cans, and plastic packaging for things like sauce or shampoo. PMD consist of valuable raw materials from which new products are made.

Tips:

1. It's important to only dispose of packaging as plastic, metal, and other recyclable materials (PMD). Hard plastic and polystyrene belong at the recycling center or with the residual waste. 
2. Keep packages separate so the installation can separate them.
3. When storing cans, bend the lid inward.
4. Make sure the packaging is as empty as possible. Rinsing is not necessary.
5. Flatten beverage cartons and screw the caps back on. This saves a lot of space in the container.
6. To prevent litter, it is important that you collect PMD in a bag and throw it away in a bin.
7. Please note: there is a deposit on plastic drinking bottles and cans.

In a low-rise building, you have a separate PMD container for separating your PMD at home. Do you live in an apartment, an upstairs apartment, or a low-rise building without a PMD container, such as in a neighborhood like Giessenburg and Bilderhof, or in the center of Gorinchem, Leerdam, or Vianen? Then, after the introduction of the environmental pass, you will dispose of your PMD and residual waste together in the residual waste container. All PMD containers will be phased out. We will collect this waste separately, and our waste processor will separate your PMD and residual waste afterward. So, be very careful to separate your organic waste correctly so that the wet organic waste doesn't stick to your residual waste. If you separate it correctly, PMD can be removed more easily and efficiently from the residual waste without, for example, food scraps sticking to it. This way, you can be sure that your PMD is recycled as effectively as possible. If you empty and flatten the packaging properly, you can fit more PMD in your residual waste bag.  

residual waste 

Non-recyclable waste such as diapers, cat litter, coffee cups and broken drinking glasses can be disposed of at the residual waste (gray container or garbage bag). This waste is then taken to a waste-to-energy plant. There, the residual waste is incinerated. This generates energy for electricity or district heating. After incineration, usable metals can still be recovered from the ash. Some of the ash residue is used in road construction. 

Do you live in a high-rise or low-rise building without a separate PMD container? Then your waste is first sorted mechanically: recyclable materials such as plastic, beverage packaging, and metals are removed.  

(Small) electrical appliances and batteries, where can you throw them away? 

Batteries are covered by small chemical waste small chemical waste (kCA). Batteries contain harmful substances that can harm the environment and even cause fires. Therefore, never throw them away with residual waste, but return them to shops, supermarkets, and many primary schools. Approximately 95% of the nickel, cobalt, and copper in batteries can be reused. Batteries also contain other fully recyclable metals, such as zinc, iron, and steel. Zinc is used for gutters, steel for nails and wire, and nickel is used for new batteries.  

You can return broken appliances free of charge when you purchase a new, comparable appliance or at one of our recycling centers. The collected appliances are processed in an environmentally friendly manner. Most materials, such as steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, glass, wood, and polyurethane powder, can be reused to make new products. Small electrical appliances can be returned to collection bins at various hardware stores, electronics stores, and supermarkets. You can also take them to one of our recycling centers. recycling centers to take.  

Tip:: Give a working device a second life by taking it to a thrift store to bring or sell via the internet. Or have a broken device repaired at a repair caféThere are two exceptions: you shouldn't give away or sell old refrigerators, freezers, and dryers because they consume too much energy. It's better to take them to the recycling center (also consider renting a free trailer) or have them picked up by appointment.  

Easily separate waste in different areas 

Separating waste doesn't have to be difficult. There are several easy places to start: 

1. Kitchen: Place a separate kitchen bin for organic waste and a bag or container for PMD and residual waste. Make sure these are clearly labeled so everyone in the house knows where their waste and raw materials should go. Or use special solutions so you only need one bin for different types of waste. 
2. Bathroom: Place a small bin for empty shampoo and shower gel bottles and other plastic packaging. Note: Razors are often plastic, but should be disposed of with the general waste. Of course, preventing waste is even better; consider a shampoo bar or reusable cotton pads. 
3. Living room and workspace: Set up a recycling bin for newspapers, magazines, and other waste paper and cardboard. You can also read your magazine or newspaper online. This reduces waste paper and thus prevents waste.

By separating waste in these places in your home, waste separation becomes a habit and you can easily maintain it. 

Get started with the Waardlanden app!

With these handy tips, you can immediately start separating waste in the kitchen and other areas of your home. Remember that proper waste separation helps reduce residual waste and recycle more valuable resources. Still not entirely sure where your waste and resources belong? Then check the Waardlanden app or our comprehensive separation guide.

Together we ensure a cleaner and more sustainable world! 

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

• Intro text: Did you know that in the Netherlands, we never eat a quarter of all our food? All that food is grown, processed, transported, cooled, and heated. We put a lot of energy into it. It's a shame when we waste energy and resources by throwing away unnecessary food. You too can help prevent food waste!

Did you know that in the Netherlands, we never eat a quarter of all our food? All that food is grown, processed, transported, cooled, and heated. We put a lot of energy into it. It's a shame when we waste energy and resources by throwing away unnecessary food. You too can help prevent food waste!

Looking for inspiration to prevent waste? These practical tips will help.

Tip 1 Check your stock

Before you go to the store, check what's still in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. This will prevent you from buying duplicates. Think about which items need to be used first. That way, you'll know what you really need.

Tip 2 Make a shopping list

Before you go shopping, plan what you'll be eating each day and who will be eating with you. If you only go grocery shopping once a week, it's best to create a weekly menu. This way, you won't forget anything and you won't be tempted to buy extra items at the store.

Tip 3 Kalso custom made

Cooking just the right amount can be tricky, especially with pasta, rice, and couscous, as these foods expand significantly during cooking. Measuring precisely how much you need prevents leftovers. A kitchen scale, measuring cup, or measuring cup can help with this. Do you have a larger portion of leftover food? Perhaps you can make someone else happy with it.

Tip 4 Don't forget your leftovers

Label a shelf in your refrigerator and put all leftovers, opened packages, and items that need to be used quickly there. That way you won't forget them.

Tip 5 Look, smell and taste

Keep an eye on the expiration date and use up products in time. A product with a "best before" date can often still be eaten after the expiration date. Use your senses and look, smell, and taste to assess the quality. Highly perishable products have a "Use By" date. This is the last day it is safe to eat. Use or freeze it before or on the expiration date.

Tip 6: Store or freeze

If you store leftovers properly, they're perfectly fine to eat later. Store them in a sealed container to protect them from drying out, bacteria, and other substances. Use stickers to label the contents and the date. Most leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for two days. You can also freeze leftovers. In the freezer, most leftovers will keep for three months.

Tip 7 Make something tasty with leftovers

Leftovers are always a winner! For example, in a soup, quiche, salad, omelet, or stir-fry. You can create all sorts of new and delicious dishes with leftovers. Get inspired by the recipe booklet, for example, with delicious, waste-free recipes. Download the free e-book with recipes.

Tip 8: Vegetables and fruit from the freezer

Frozen fruits and vegetables are not only just as healthy as fresh ones, but they also last much longer. You can easily take just the right portions out of the freezer. This way, you can prepare just the right amount and prevent waste.

Tip 9: Save old sandwiches

Regularly have leftover (old) sandwiches? Did you know that the average Dutch person saves about three sandwiches from the trash each week? Bread is therefore the most wasted product, while it's easy to prevent waste. Freeze bread and only take out the sandwiches you need that day. This way, you'll always have fresh bread. Toast it when it's stale, or make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich or French toast with it.

Tip 10 Freeze fresh herbs

Freeze fresh herbs? Absolutely! Finely chop the herbs and place them in an ice cube tray. Add oil, cover, and freeze. You can easily remove the correct portions from the freezer and then add them to the pan.

Tip 11 Check the refrigerator temperature

Set your refrigerator to 4°C. That's the ideal refrigerator temperature. This way, food stays fresh longer, and bacteria and mold have little chance to grow. You can use a refrigerator thermometer to check if your refrigerator is cold enough.

Tip 12: View the storage advice

Use the handy online storage guide from the Nutrition Centre and find storage advice for more than 2.000 products. This way, you'll always know how long you can keep an opened product, how to recognize spoilage, and the best place to store your products.

Tip 13 Waste-free coach

Do you also throw away food more often than you would like? Then you can call on the help of your own coach. Waste-free coach is an app from Milieucentraal that provides you with personalized tips on reducing food waste. Download the app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

Tip 14: Put the correct waste in the organic waste container

You can prevent food waste by buying, cooking, and storing it wisely. Bones, bones, and peels are allowed in the organic waste bin. Do you actually know what else is allowed in the organic waste bin? Discover what does and does not belong in the organic waste.Do you have any questions? Email our environmental coach Nelleke, she will be happy to help you. 

• Intro text: Frying fat, cooking oil, and fatty gravy are recycled if they are collected separately. You can take them to one of our recycling centers. Some supermarkets, hardware stores, thrift shops, and (sports) clubs also have a special collection bin for frying fat and cooking oil.

Tips for separating and disposing of frying fat, cooking oil and fatty gravy:

• Allow the frying fat, cooking oil or fatty gravy to cool first.
• Pour it back into the original container or another sealable container, such as a milk carton or plastic bottle with a screw cap.
• Close the packaging properly.
• Hand in the frying fat, packaging and all, to one of the recycling centers.

You can find more collection points at frituurvetrecyclehet.nl.

Note:

• Frying fat may not be placed in a deep fryer you intend to discard. This is because the fat leaks out of the pan during transport and contaminates other discarded electrical equipment in the container. This is unhygienic for the recycling worker and hinders recycling.
• Don't pour oil and grease down the sink, they clog your drain and sewer.
• Lubricating oil and grease are small chemical waste. Please hand them in at the recycling center.

What happens to it?

Frying fat and cooking oil are processed into raw materials for biofuel. Biofuels produce less CO2 emissions and particulate matter than fuels made from mineral oils. This is good for the environment. Please help us by separating your fats and oils. Thank you for your cooperation!

• Photos:
• Location Name: Vianen Recycling Center
• Street + no: Sports avenue 4
• Postal Code: 4131 NN
• City: Vianen
• Phone: 0183 - 68 11 11

Opening hours*

* In case of extreme crowds, we may close the queue half an hour before closing time.

Going to the recycling center? Don't forget your environmental pass

You are welcome at the Vianen recycling center with your Waardlanden environmental pass. Without a pass, you cannot enter the recycling center.

More information about the environmental pass

What you can bring away from here

• Garbage
  Are your broken items beyond repair or use? Or do you have items that don't belong in the container or don't fit? Then you can take them to the recycling center as often as you like using your recycling pass. Read more here. 
• Small chemical waste (SCW)
  Small chemical waste (SCW) is waste containing substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. This includes chemicals that are toxic, flammable, or otherwise harmful. View the offer conditions and tips here. 

What you can't bring away from here

• Soil and sand
• Small amounts of potting and garden soil can be safely disposed of with the organic waste.
• For larger quantities of sand, soil and (garden) soil, there are special companies that collect, inspect and purify these materials for reuse.

Trailer

Find out more about the options and conditions for borrowing a trailer

• Photos:
• Location Name: Leerdam Recycling Center
• Street + no: Handelstraat 15
• Postal Code: 4143 HT
• City: Leerdam
• Phone: 0183 - 68 11 11

Opening hours*

* In case of extreme crowds, we may close the queue half an hour before closing time.

Going to the recycling center? Don't forget your environmental pass. 

You are welcome at the Leerdam recycling center with your Waardlanden environmental pass. Without a pass, you cannot enter the recycling center.

More information about the environmental pass

What you can bring away from here

• Garbage
  Are your broken items beyond repair or use? Or do you have items that don't belong in the container or don't fit? Then you can take them to the recycling center as often as you like using your recycling pass. Read more here. 
• Small chemical waste (SCW): every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 12:30 to 15:30. 
  Small chemical waste (SCW) is waste containing substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. This includes chemicals that are toxic, flammable, or otherwise harmful. View the offer conditions and tips here. 

What you can't bring away from here

• Soil and sand
• Small amounts of potting and garden soil can be safely disposed of with the organic waste.
• For larger quantities of sand, soil and (garden) soil, there are special companies that collect, inspect and purify these materials for reuse.

Trailer

Find out more about the options and conditions for borrowing a trailer

• Photos:
• Location Name: Recycling center Nieuw-Lekkerland
• Street + no: Ambachtsweg 2
• Postal Code: 2957 ST
• City: New Lekkerland
• Phone: 0183 - 68 11 11

Opening hours*

* In case of extreme crowds, we may close the queue half an hour before closing time.

About the Recycling Center Nieuw-Lekkerland

At the recycling center you can hand in items that are good enough to sell in the thrift store and items that can be recycled.

You can bring furniture, electrical appliances, or a bicycle, for example. Or other items you want to get rid of that are good enough for a second life. Everything is sorted and, if possible, refurbished to be sold again at the thrift store. With this service at Kringloopplein, we prevent usable goods from being disposed of as waste and conserve raw materials needed to make new products.

Going to the Kringloopplein? Don't forget your environmental pass. 

You are welcome at the Nieuw-Lekkerland Recycling Center with your Waardlanden environmental pass. Without a pass, you cannot visit the recycling center.

More information about the environmental pass

What do we accept for free?

For the cycle

• Decoration / furnishing
  
• Electrical appliances
• Baby items
• Small furniture
• Household goods
• Clothing
• Books
• Toys
• Visual and audio material
• garden tools
• Cycling
• Aids (e.g. a walker)

And with extra check: 
Bring your items with you, and a staff member will check if they are saleable. Please allow sufficient time to drive to another recycling center (if necessary). 

• Dining areas with chairs
• Lounge chairs
• Cabinets (not too big)

To be recycled

• Defective electrical appliances (including white goods)
• Used baby diapers
• Frying fat and oil
• hard plastic
• Mattresses (dry)
• Metal
• Paper and cardboard
• Textile
• Flat glass
• Wood
• Reusable building materials
  • Handing in of reusable building materials must meet the conditions of the 2nd chance building materials depot in Groot-AmmersLarge quantities of reusable building materials can be brought directly to the depot in Groot-Ammers.
• Chemical waste
  • Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 09.30am to 11.00am.
  • View the offer conditions and tips here.

Please note: small quantities only

You can bring small quantities of items to the Kringloopplein (Recycling Center) that fit in your trunk or shopping bag. This means your visit is generally free. If you bring larger quantities or other items, you may be redirected to the recycling center in Groot-Ammers or charged a fee; payment is only possible by debit card.    

Regulations Recycling Center

Here you will find extensive regulations for the Kringloopplein.

What do we not accept?

We do not accept the following items at the recycling center. You can, however, take them to one of the other recycling centers. 

• Bulky household waste
  
• Construction and demolition waste
• Heavy mountain furniture
• Rubble / tiles 
• Pruning wood
• car tires
• Asbestos
• Gas bottles
• Glass (colored and white)
• Styrofoam
• banks

Trailer

Find out more about the options and conditions for borrowing a trailer

Together we work on reuse

With this service at Kringloopplein, we prevent usable goods from being disposed of as waste and conserve raw materials needed to make new products. Kringloopplein is a collaboration between Waardlanden, GAiN Kringloopwinkel, Jij bent in Beeld (from Philadelphia), Repair Café Nieuw-Lekkerland (from Huis van de Waard), and Vluchtelingenwerk (Refugee Council). Together, we give discarded goods and materials a second life. And we offer even more residents the opportunity to participate in society. Returned goods that prove unusable are, where possible, disassembled, separated, and sent for recycling.

GAiN Thrift Store (Building 83)

Address
Planetenlaan 83, Nieuw-Lekkerland

Opening hours

• Tuesday to Friday 10.00:16.00 am - XNUMX:XNUMX pm
  On Saturday in the Even weeks: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

For more information, please visit the GAiN website

• Photos:
• Location Name: Hardinxveld-Giessendam Recycling Center
• Street + no: Schrank 10
• Postal Code: 3371 KJ
• City: Hardinxveld-Giessendam
• Phone: 0183 - 68 11 11

Opening hours*

* In case of extreme crowds, we may close the queue half an hour before closing time.

Going to the recycling center? Don't forget your environmental pass. 

You are welcome at the Hardinxveld-Giessendam recycling center with your Waardlanden environmental pass. Without a pass, you cannot enter the recycling center.

More information about the environmental pass

What you can bring away from here

• Garbage
  Are your broken items beyond repair or use? Or do you have items that don't belong in the container or don't fit? Then you can take them to the recycling center as often as you like using your recycling pass.
• Small chemical waste (SCW)
  Small chemical waste (SCW) is waste containing substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. This includes chemicals that are toxic, flammable, or otherwise harmful.
• Recyclable goods
  Next to the entrance is a container where you can put your belongings. Gorinchem Recycling Center manages this container. They work closely with the circular workshop The CompanionFurniture with minor defects is therefore also very welcome.
• Reusable building materials
  There's a container for reusable building materials, such as a sealed bucket of latex, full packs of bathroom tiles or laminate flooring, or a window frame without glass. Waardlanden collaborates with local organizations that are eager to use these building materials.

What you can't bring away from here

• Soil and sand
• Small amounts of potting and garden soil can be safely disposed of with the organic waste.
• For larger quantities of sand, soil and (garden) soil, there are special companies that collect, inspect and purify these materials for reuse.

Trailer

Find out more about the options and conditions for borrowing a trailer

• Photos:
• Location Name: Gorinchem Recycling Center
• Street + no: Bosom 3
• Postal Code: 4206 CA
• City: Gorinchem
• Phone: 0183 - 68 11 11

Opening hours*

* In case of extreme crowds, we may close the queue half an hour before closing time.

Going to the recycling center? Don't forget your environmental pass. 

You are welcome at the Gorinchem recycling center with your Waardlanden environmental pass and AVRI waste pass. Without a pass, you cannot enter the recycling center.

More information about the environmental pass

What you can bring away from here

• Garbage
  Are your broken items beyond repair or use? Or do you have items that don't belong in the container or don't fit? Then you can take them to the recycling center as often as you like using your recycling pass. Read more here. 
• Small chemical waste (SCW)
  Small chemical waste (SCW) is waste containing substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. This includes chemicals that are toxic, flammable, or otherwise harmful. View the offer conditions and tips here. 

What you can't bring away from here

• Soil and sand
• Small amounts of potting and garden soil can be safely disposed of with the organic waste.
• For larger quantities of sand, soil and (garden) soil, there are special companies that collect, inspect and purify these materials for reuse.

Trailer

Find out more about the options and conditions for borrowing a trailer

• Photos:
• Location Name: Groot-Ammers Recycling Center
• Street + no: Transport road 3
• Postal Code: 2964 LP
• City: Great-Ammers

Opening hours*

* In case of extreme crowds, we may close the queue half an hour before closing time.

About Ecopark Groot-Ammers

Ecopark Groot-Ammers is located on the Gelkenes industrial estate in Groot-Ammers. The site includes a recycling center, a workshop, a second-hand building materials depot, an educational space, and a recycling center. 

Together with our local partners Korevaar Group en The Companion We strive to reuse your discarded items as effectively as possible. This way, we avoid wasting resources and depleting the planet. And we work together towards a clean environment and a waste-free future.

Going to the recycling center? Don't forget your environmental pass 

You are welcome at the Groot-Ammers recycling center with your Waardlanden environmental pass. Without a pass, you cannot enter the recycling center.

More information about the environmental pass

One of our staff members will greet you at the entrance. We'll review your cargo together and advise you on the best route through the site. We'll also tell you which items and materials can be reused or repaired, and which can be disposed of at the recycling center.

What you can bring away from here

• Garbage
  Are your broken items beyond repair or use? Or do you have items that don't belong in the container or don't fit? Then you can take them to the recycling center as often as you like using your recycling pass.
• Small chemical waste (SCW)
  Small chemical waste (SCW) is waste containing substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. This includes chemicals that are toxic, flammable, or otherwise harmful.

What you can't bring away from here

• Soil and sand
• Small amounts of potting and garden soil can be safely disposed of with the organic waste.
• For larger quantities of sand, soil and (garden) soil, there are special companies that collect, inspect and purify these materials for reuse.

Reuse

At Ecopark, we give as many goods and materials a second life as possible. There's a dedicated area at the recycling center where you can neatly store your second-life items. In the workshop, people in need of support work under supervision to repair or repurpose as many items as possible, such as furniture. Of course, you can take your repaired items home with you for a small fee. We sell donated items at regional thrift stores or in our webshop. The Companion.

Sustainable building materials

At 2nd Chance Building Materials You can buy sustainable building materials that you want to give a second life. Check out the 2nd Chance Building Materials webshop for the current selection of circular building materials. You can also drop off your reusable building materials.

Recycling center

KoreNet KoreNet converts goods that cannot be reused into reusable raw materials. For example, KoreNet separates your delivered wood into reusable wood and wood that goes to the chipboard industry. KoreNet also uses a sorting facility to separate mixed raw materials, such as wood, plastic, and metal for recycling.

Education

The education area overlooks the Ecopark. Here you can learn more about the circular economy and how you can contribute to a better environment. The education area can be visited by appointment and is suitable for groups, such as school classes. Guided tours of the Ecopark are also available.

More information about the options or make an appointment

You can reserve and borrow a trailer at Ecopark Groot-Ammers.

Find out more about the options and conditions for borrowing a trailer

You can separate disposable diapers into special diaper waste bags and return them for free to one of Waardlanden's recycling centers. Or even better: choose wisely and save more with washable diapers. Better for the environment and your wallet.

Benefits of washable diapers

With cloth diapers, your baby will be potty trained faster and, thanks to the natural materials, will suffer much less from diaper rash. These modern diapers are very easy to use. Moreover, you avoid residual waste and save trips to the recycling center. Cloth diapers are therefore better for the environment and your wallet. More information can be found at milieucentraal.nl/mazzelkontjes.

Return disposable diapers for free to the recycling center

You collect the used disposable diapers in a special waste bag for baby diapers, which you can collect at the recycling centers and in a number of other places In the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden. Take the full bag to the recycling center, where you can dispose of it for free in a special container. Only used disposable diapers are allowed in the semi-transparent diaper bags. Do not include (latex) gloves, washcloths, underlays, ointment jars, tubes, or other materials. These are very harmful to the recycling process.

Baby diaper waste bag locations

You can collect special waste bags for baby diapers at these locations. Check the opening hours of each location in advance.

Medical waste

In the Waardlanden municipalities, incontinence supplies are considered medical waste. People with a medical condition who cannot reduce their residual waste due to medical waste may be eligible for compensation. For more information, they can contact their municipality.

Why should you dispose of disposable diapers separately?

If you throw disposable diapers in with your residual waste, they end up in the incinerator. Disposable diapers that you take separately to the recycling center are partially processed into raw materials for making new products, such as plastic car parts. This processing method has a lower environmental impact than incineration in a waste-to-energy plant.

Together, we're moving toward a clean environment and a waste-free future. Find more videos and helpful tips for reducing waste and separating it even more effectively at waardlanden.nl/hulpentips.

Questions

Do you have a question about the collection of baby diapers?

> Find the answers to frequently asked questions about the collection of baby diapers and medical waste here