Everything in the right container. For the reuse of materials as raw materials, it's important that no contamination is introduced. This maintains the quality of the material as best as possible and allows it to be recycled. For this reason, many materials are collected separately from residual waste. The main rule for home separation is: clean and/or dry.

• Only vegetable, fruit, and other food waste and garden waste may be placed in the organic waste container.
• Only glass bottles and jars may be placed in the glass container (packaging glass).
• Only clean and dry paper and cardboard may be placed in the paper container.
• Only (empty) plastic and metal packaging (tin) and beverage cartons may be placed with the PMD.
• Only textiles may be placed in the textile container.

This sounds logical, but a lot of contamination is still found in the containers for these material flows. Plastic, for example, in the wastepaper or organic waste bins is very bad for the environment. By separating waste properly, the sorting and recycling process runs efficiently. Little contamination needs to be removed from the material flow before the material can be reused as a secondary raw material in a production process. And sorting costs remain limited, so separate collection remains financially worthwhile. Organic waste, PMD, and paper contaminated with plastic or residual waste, for example, cannot be recycled for reuse. As a resident, you pay for the waste processing, but you don't receive any revenue from the raw materials. Those who don't separate waste, or do so poorly, are therefore putting themselves and their neighbors at a premium.

By separating waste properly and efficiently, we—residents, municipalities, and Waardlanden—keep waste management costs manageable. And together, we work towards a beautiful, valuable living environment.

• Intro text: Additional textile containers are being placed at eight locations in the Waardlanden region. At these sites, an underground residual waste container is being replaced by a textile container. This makes it even easier for you to drop off clothing and textiles separately, close to home. You do not need your environmental pass for this.

Additional textile containers will be placed at eight locations in the Waardlanden region. At these sites, an underground residual waste container will be replaced by a textile container. This makes it even easier for you to drop off clothing and textiles separately, close to home. You do not need your environmental pass for this. There will still be sufficient options for disposing of your residual waste at the eight locations. You can dispose of your residual waste as usual.

Why this change?

Residents are separating their waste and recyclable materials increasingly effectively. As a result, there is less residual waste. We see this reflected in the figures: since 2020, residual waste per inhabitant has decreased from 223 kilos to 129,5 kilos in 2025. This is a positive development, resulting in over 90 kilos less residual waste per inhabitant. Because there is less residual waste, we can use some of the containers for other recyclable materials, such as textiles.

Where will the new textile containers be located?

The additional textile containers will be placed at the following locations:

• Molenlaan 1, Groot-Ammers
• Sterappel 13, Hardinxveld-Giessendam
• Den Bogerd 3, Hardinxveld-Giessendam
• Dalemwal 25, Gorinchem
• Hoogdalemseweg 1, Gorinchem
• Groenzoom 112, Leerdam
• Van den Brinkstraat 2, Vianen
• Pr. Marijkelaan 13, Meerkerk

At these locations, an underground residual waste container will be replaced by a textile container starting June 1st. There will remain sufficient options for disposing of your residual waste.

What is allowed in the textile container?

Damaged and worn clothing may also go in the textile container – as long as it is clean and dry.

Just like other textiles, such as: 

• bed linen, towels and kitchen towels 
• curtains and fabrics 
• shoes, belts, bags, hats and scarves 
• cuddly toys and fabric tablecloths 

Always put clothing and textiles in a closed plastic bag. This keeps them dry and clean, allowing us to give them a second life. After all, what you no longer wear can still be of value to someone else. And anything that is truly no longer usable is recycled into new raw materials. This is how we work together towards a waste-free future.

• Intro text: The holidays are coming. This means that in some locations, we will be collecting waste and raw materials on a different day. We will also be closed during the holidays.

On most public holidays, Waardlanden does not collect waste door-to-door. Collection is then moved to another day. The recycling centers, the Kringloopplein, and the office are also closed on those days.

Look closely at your waste calendar, in the Waardlanden app or Check here on our website whether we collect waste and raw materials in your area on a different day. Always place your container outside before 7:30 AM on the collection day and remove it from the road as soon as possible after emptying.

Here you can see, by municipality, when the catch-up days are per raw material. 

Closure of recycling centers, recycling center and office

The Ecopark in Groot-Ammers is closed on Thursday, as always.
** On Tuesday, May 5 (Liberation Day), waste collection will proceed according to the normal schedule.

• Intro text: The municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden, together with Waardlanden, have started preparing new regional policy for household waste and raw materials from 2027.

The municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden, together with Waardlanden, have started preparing new regional policy for household waste and raw materials from 2027.

Much has been achieved in the Waardlanden municipalities in recent years. Residents are separating waste and recyclable materials increasingly effectively, and the amount of residual waste has clearly decreased. Since 2020, residual waste per inhabitant has fallen from an average of 223 kilos per year to 129,5 kilos in 2025. That is a decrease of over 90 kilos per inhabitant. This represents a significant step forward.
At the same time, we are not there yet. Residual waste still contains many valuable raw materials, such as organic waste, plastic packaging, and textiles. The quality of some separated streams, such as plastic packaging and organic waste, also still requires attention.

Why a next step is necessary

Much will change in the coming years. Raw materials are becoming scarcer, the costs of processing residual waste are rising, and national and European regulations are changing. In addition, the way we view waste is changing. It is no longer just about collection, but about waste prevention, reuse, and making better use of raw materials. This calls for the next step towards a new regional vision and an implementation plan. This involves not only facilities and collection, but also how waste and raw materials are presented and separated in daily life.

Start of a careful process

The preparation begins with an initial memorandum. The memorandum outlines how Waardlanden and the four municipalities will work together on a new regional vision and an implementation plan in the coming period.
The municipalities are the joint owners of the regional vision. Waardlanden advises, supports, and largely implements the policy. The regional vision is expected to be adopted by the municipal councils in February 2027. This will be followed by an implementation plan with measures. This plan is expected to be adopted by the municipal executive boards in May 2027.

No choices regarding measures yet

The start note describes the process. No substantive choices have been made yet regarding measures or changes. In the coming period, the following will first be mapped out: what is going well, where bottlenecks and opportunities lie, which developments are affecting the region, and which choices are necessary for the future. Only after that will substantive choices be made.

Practical experience is important

During the drafting of the new policy, information is gathered at various stages from municipalities, Waardlanden, residents, and other stakeholders. The aim is to arrive at plans that are feasible and align with regional practices. In the coming period, research will be conducted among residents regarding their experiences with waste and raw materials. These insights will be carefully considered in the further development of the regional vision and the implementation plan. The final decisions will be made by the municipalities.

Focused on the next step

The foundation in the region is in place. Residents have good facilities for separating waste and raw materials. The next step lies in further improving waste separation, making better use of raw materials, and preventing waste in daily life. Therefore, the municipalities and Waardlanden will continue working in the coming years on an approach that helps residents with this. In this way, we are working step by step towards less residual waste and more reuse in the region.

• Intro text: Did you know that the textile industry causes a lot of pollution? Making clothing requires many raw materials, water, and energy. By reusing textiles or handing them in separately, they do not need to be newly manufactured. That is better for the environment and for our future. 

Did you know that the textile industry causes a lot of pollution? Making clothing requires many raw materials, water, and energy. By reusing textiles or handing them in separately, they do not need to be newly manufactured. That is better for the environment and for our future. 

From April 20 to 27, it is the Week of Second-hand Textiles. During this week, we reflect on the value of clothing and other textiles that we no longer use. Trousers that don't fit well, a sweater that is too small, a loose sock, worn-out sheets. Don't throw it away, but give it a second life! This can be done in many ways: repair it, pass it on, alter it, sell it, trade with others, or drop it off at a textile container or at the recycling center. View here where you can find a textile container near you.

Broken or worn clothing is also welcome 

What many people don't know: worn or damaged clothing can also simply go in the textile container – as long as it is clean and dry, just like other clothing. textile, as: 

• bed linen, towels and kitchen towels 
• curtains and fabrics 
• shoes, belts, bags, hats and scarves 
• cuddly toys and fabric tablecloths 

What you no longer wear may still be of value to someone else. And what is truly no longer usable is recycled into new raw materials. This is how we work together towards a waste-free future.

• Intro text: The E-waste Race 2026 was a great success! Eleven primary schools from Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden gave unused and broken appliances a second life. Discover more.

The revamped edition of the E-waste Race 2026 was a great success! Eleven primary schools from Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden have competed over the past four weeks to give as many unused and broken appliances as possible a second life. Appliances were passed on, repaired, or recycled so that they did not end up in residual waste unnecessarily. A great step towards less waste and more reuse.

The big winner: PWS de Bijenkorf 

With 2 devices handed in, 575 collected devices, and 16819 batteries, PWS de Bijenkorf from Lexmond is the big winner of the E-waste Race 2026! Their effort and collaboration earned them the most points, allowing them to win an educational and fun outing to the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. The prize was presented by Ton van Maanen, Alderman of the municipality of Vijfheerenlanden, and our environmental coach Nelleke.

The Ichthusschool from Hardinxveld-Giessendam and Montessori from Gorinchem also achieved wonderful results. They finished in second and third place. A fantastic achievement!

The results of the school race

It was a great success. During the E-waste Race Students enthusiastically set to work with unused and broken appliances and gave them a second life as much as possible. Together they have:

• 19 devices passed on via Marktplaats
• had 2 devices repaired at a repair café
• 5 cool videos made to inspire others of the importance of reuse and repair
• Visited the recycling center 48 times with an adult
• Looked up the media 5 times
• 7203 devices handed in via a Wecycle drop-off point
• 65168 batteries handed in

Everything with a cord or battery counted: from kettles and cables to keyboards. Devices that were passed on or repaired earned extra points. Reuse and repair are important. Recycling is the final step in the process towards a cleaner world.

Thanks to all schools

Together, all participating schools made the E-waste Race 2026 a great success.

The following schools participated: 

Municipality of Gorinchem

Montessori Gorinchem
ZML de Kleine Wereld

Municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam

IKC Merwede
Ichthus school

Municipality of Molenlanden

OBS Het Tweespan (Giessenburg)
Den Beemd (Hoogblokland)
Community School De Lingewaard (Arkel)
CBS Eben Haëzer (Nieuwpoort)
CBS School with the Bible (Noordeloos)

Municipality of Vijfheerenlanden

Floris Radewijnsz (Leerdam)
PWS de Bijenkorf (Lexmond)

Please help and hand in your e-waste

The E-waste Race shows that small actions make a big difference. Even now that the race is over, it remains important to give devices a second life. Do you have anything lying around at home with a cord or battery? See if you can get it repaired, pass it on to someone else, or hand it in at a collection point or the recycling centerThis is how you contribute to a cleaner world. Together, we ensure less waste and a clean region.

• Intro text: Disposable diapers constitute a large part of residual waste in young families. Therefore, in addition to collection and processing, we are also looking at ways to prevent waste. One example of this is the Plasklas. You can read more about this here.

Waardlanden works with municipalities and partners to reduce residual waste. Disposable diapers constitute a large part of the residual waste among young families. Therefore, in addition to collection and processing, we are also looking at ways to prevent waste. 

Support via trusted partners

An example of this is the Plasklas. The Plasklas supports parents in recognizing toilet training earlier and taking appropriate action. This is done through organizations parents are already familiar with, such as the child health clinic, childcare facilities, and the library. Waardlanden is involved in this as part of the waste management challenge. Parents receive information via these organizations at times that suit their child's development. 

Fewer diapers, less waste

Potty training often starts later than necessary, even though it can be done at a younger age. When children stop using diapers earlier, fewer diapers are needed. A child who is potty trained a year earlier uses an average of 1.800 fewer diapers. That saves approximately 250 kilograms of residual waste and significant costs for parents. 

More information about the Plasklas and registration for the free Plasklas training can be found via www.plasklas.nl.  

• Intro text: In Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Waardlanden has been collecting waste paper and cardboard in the evenings for years, with the help of church volunteers. Because Wednesday, March 11th, is a day of prayer, the paper and cardboard will be collected a day earlier that week: on the evening of Tuesday, March 10th.

In Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Waardlanden has been collecting waste paper and cardboard in the evenings for years, with the help of church volunteers. Because Wednesday, March 11th, is a day of prayer, the paper and cardboard will be collected a day earlier that week: on the evening of Tuesday, March 10th. 

This change only applies to the collection of paper and cardboard on Wednesday evenings of that week. All other collection times remain unchanged. The collection of other waste and raw materials during the day will continue as usual.

Always have your personal collection days at hand?  

The Waardlanden app includes your personal waste collection calendar. You can also set up notifications when one of your containers is ready for collection, so you'll never forget. We share important messages in the app, such as changes to collection routes or collection dates. You can also quickly and easily submit notifications and schedule bulky waste collection appointments. Don't have our app yet? Download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Or view your personal waste calendar here.

• Intro text: During Waste Heroes Week, many children enthusiastically participated in our giveaway. They surprised our Waste Heroes with beautiful crafts and drawings. See who won.

Waste Heroes Week was all about appreciation and pride. For the men and women who, often unseen, work every day to create a clean and tidy environment. Early mornings, on holidays, and in the rain and wind – our Waste Heroes never stop.

The many wonderful responses, crafts, and drawings they received prove that our Waste Heroes deserve recognition. From all the crafts, the Waste Heroes selected four winners:

• Group 3A of CBS De Rank from Meerkerk

• Julia (4 years old) from Hardinxveld-Giessendam

• Bram (6 years old) from Hardinxveld-Giessendam

• Sophie (4 years old) from Gorinchem

Congratulations on your prizes! The winners will soon receive not only a beautiful prize but also a delicious cream cake for their class. We will contact them personally to arrange the presentation.

On behalf of all Waste Heroes: thank you to all the children who participated in our giveaway. It's wonderful to see how much appreciation there is for the work our Waste Heroes do every day. Together, we ensure a clean and tidy environment.

• Intro text: From March 16th to April 9th, primary school students from Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden will spend four weeks recycling unused and broken equipment. The school with the most points wins an all-expenses-paid school trip.

From March 16 to April 9, Waardlanden is organizing the E-waste Race together with Wecycle. In this regional competition, primary school students from Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden will work with unused and broken appliances for four weeks. During the race, students earn points by completing various tasks. The emphasis is on awareness, reuse, and repair of existing equipment. The school with the most points wins a fully funded school trip.

Electronic waste: often still salvageable

Half of all electronic waste does not end up in the right place. Old laptops, broken kitchen appliances, and other devices are left lying in attics or drawers. That is a shame, because many of these devices contain valuable raw materials. That is why Waardlanden, together with Wecycle, is organizing the E-waste Race. In this regional competition, eleven primary schools will work with unused and broken devices for four weeks. They will give as many devices as possible a second life:

• To pass on working devices for free, for example via Marktplaats
• To have appliances repaired at a Repair Café
• To collect broken appliances for recycling at a Wecycle drop-off point

In this way, students discover that reuse often yields better results than direct recycling and makes a real difference. Students also learn to handle items and raw materials sparingly. This aligns with the goal of the circular economy: throwing away less and reusing more.

More points by handling belongings smartly

The E-waste Race begins with an interactive guest lesson on repair, reuse, and recycling. Afterwards, students get to work for four weeks, together with their local communities. During the race, students earn points by completing various assignments. The emphasis is on awareness, reuse, and repair. The more challenging the assignment, the more points. The school with the most points wins an all-expenses-paid school trip to NEMO Amsterdam.

Assignments and scoring:

Raising awareness – 200 points Students explain in their neighborhoods why old appliances are valuable. They show that a broken phone or kettle still contains usable materials. By sharing their stories—at school, in the neighborhood, or through the media—they make others aware of the importance of reuse and repair.

Repairing appliances – 100 points Students can have appliances from their local area repaired at a Repair Café. In this way, students discover that broken does not always mean something needs to be replaced. Repairing saves raw materials and prevents unnecessary new purchases.

Reuse devices – 75 points per advertisement Students can pass on unused devices that still work to others, for example via Marktplaats or other second-hand platforms. This way, we prevent perfectly working devices from being thrown away unnecessarily.

Collecting e-waste – points by device type Broken appliances do not belong in residual waste. Students ensure that these end up at a Wecycle drop-off point. Collection remains important, but yields fewer points this year than awareness, reuse, or repair. Thus, the emphasis is on handling items more intelligently, before they become waste.

Who saves the most e-waste?

A total of 11 primary schools are participating:

Municipality of Gorinchem:

• Montessori Gorinchem
• ZML de Kleine Wereld

Municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam:

• IKC Merwede
• Ichthus school

Municipality of Molenlanden:

• OBS Het Tweespan (Giessenburg)
• Den Beemd (Hoogblokland)
• Community School De Lingewaard (Arkel)
• CBS Eben Haëzer (Nieuwpoort)
• CBS School with the Bible (Noordeloos)

Municipality of Vijfheerenlanden:

• Floris Radewijnsz (Leerdam)
• Princess Wilhelmina School Community School De Bijenkorf (PWS) (Lexmond)

Please help too

Do you have a broken electrical appliance at home, such as a kettle, keyboard, or cable? Register it and help the students earn points during the school competition. They take broken appliances to nearby Wecycle drop-off points and learn where to hand in electronic waste.
From March 16, you can register devices at www.ewasterace.nlAnything with a cord or a slot for a rechargeable battery counts. Students will pick up the items from you free of charge, depending on their schedule. Ink cartridges are not considered e-waste and cannot be handed in for the race.

With the E-waste Race, students show that small choices can make a big difference. Together with residents, they ensure that electronic devices are not lost.