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

Every day, our Waste Heroes work tirelessly to keep the region clean, tidy, and safe. Often in the background, but always indispensable. One of them is Supervisor Kees. He's out and about every day to keep our region tidy and clean. In this video, Kees shows what his job entails and how it contributes to a clean and safe living environment. 

Commitment to a clean neighborhood

As a waste and resources policy supervisor, Kees handles waste and items placed next to collection containers. He takes immediate action when a report is received. He assesses the situation and looks for clues to identify the owner of the waste. He then ensures the waste is cleaned up quickly, keeping the neighborhood clean and tidy.

"The best part is when residents say we're doing a good job," says Kees. Trash next to the containers is a nuisance. It's not only dirty and messy, but also unsafe and attracts vermin. That's why it's important to throw trash in the container—not next to it.

You're not just a Waste Hero during Waste Hero Week, but all year round. That's why we're highlighting our various colleagues throughout the year. Because behind every clean street and container are professionals like Kees. Curious about his workday? Watch the video below.

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

It's Waste-Free Week, and that means getting more out of what you already have. Because what do you do with half that zucchini, 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 create something new with it. And that not only saves waste, but also money.

Leftovers and scraps

We call them leftovers or scraps. The difference? Leftovers are ingredients that haven't been used entirely, like a quarter of a cucumber or some overripe fruit. Leftovers are what's left after a meal: a scoop of rice, half a casserole, or a bowl of soup.

The trick is smart storage and planning:

• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers immediately. This will preserve them and prevent waste.
• Think about what you can do with it. On the Nutrition Centre website, you'll find recipes based on what you have on hand.
• Give stale bread or ripe fruit a second life. Make croutons, French toast, or a fruit dessert with yogurt.
• Pay close attention to hygiene. Let leftovers cool quickly, store them in a sealed container, and heat them thoroughly when reheating.
• Use your senses. Is dairy or cheese past its sell-by date? Look, smell, and taste. It's often still perfectly good to use.
• Note the difference between best-before and best-before dates. Products with a best-before date, such as meat or fish, are no longer safe after the expiration date.
• Know what you're storing. Leftovers keep for about two days in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer. Put a date on them so you know what to expect.
• Reheated? Throw away leftovers afterward. Reheating twice is no longer safe. So eat what you reheat.

Looking for more ideas?

Download the handy image from the Nutrition Center With four ideas for using up leftovers: soup, salad, omelet, or stir-fry. Every leftover you save, every scrap you reuse, counts. Less food waste means less waste, less wasted resources, and a lower environmental impact. By making smart use of what we already have, we can make a big difference together—right in our own kitchens. 

• Intro text: It's Waste-Free Week! Are you joining in? In the Netherlands, we waste far more food than we think. An average of 33 kilos per person per year! Time to do something about it. So, participate in Waste-Free Week from September 8th to 14th.

Did you know that we often waste more food than we think? An average of 33 kilos per person per year for all Dutch people combined, that's 23 million meals per week. So there's still a lot to be gained. So participate in the Waste-Free Week from September 8th to 14th. For example, by cooking what needs to be used first. And by knowing how to handle expiration dates.

Do you ever wonder if something is still good to eat? You're not alone. A lot of food gets thrown away because we don't know the expiration date.Taking the date too literally. While there are often more options than you think. Knowing the difference between best-before and best-before date will help you make the right choice more quickly. This prevents waste and keeps your food safe.

Best before date – Best before date

Products with a best-before date can often still be eaten after the expiration date. Think of cookies, pasta, rice, dairy, or cheese. The flavor or texture may diminish slightly, but it's usually still fine. Look, smell, and taste. Does it look good? Then you can often still eat it.

TGT – Best before date

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

5 tips for smart shelf life management

1. Pay close attention to the type of expiration date. Best-before date indicates quality. Best-before date is about safety.
2. Use your senses. Best-before date: if it smells good, looks good, and tastes normal, you can usually still eat it.
3. Freeze expired products in advance. Want to keep them longer? Do so before the expiration date.
4. Be careful after opening. An opened product spoils faster. So, don't just check the expiration date, but also how long it's been open.
5. Use the Storage guide from the Nutrition Centre. This shows you exactly how long you can keep something. Handy for the kitchen!

Waste less together

A lot of food is unnecessarily thrown away because people don't understand expiration dates. By paying closer attention and using smarter storage, we can make a difference together. This way, we ensure less waste and fewer resources are wasted. Good for your wallet and good for the environment.

• Intro text: Friday, September 20th, is World Cleanup Day, the world's largest cleanup campaign. People everywhere are taking to the streets to pick up litter. Lieke is asking everyone to join in. Adults, children, neighbors, and friends: together we can make our neighborhoods cleaner!

Litter doesn't belong on the streets or in nature. Children's mayor Lieke from Gorinchem agrees. "Animals can get tangled in it or get sick from eating microplastics. It's truly sad," she says. "We have to do something about it!"

Together for a clean neighborhood

Friday, September 20th, is World Cleanup Day, the world's largest cleanup campaign. People everywhere are taking to the streets to pick up litter. Lieke is asking everyone to join in. Adults, children, neighbors, and friends: together we can make our neighborhoods cleaner!

Lieke and environmental coach Nelleke created a short video. In it, she explains why it's important to keep your surroundings clean. And that cleaning up can actually be quite fun – especially when you do it together.

Will you join us on September 20?

Grab a garbage bag, put on gloves, and get out there. Pick up litter in the street, the park, or around school with your (grand)child, neighbor, or neighbor. Together, we can make a difference. For a cleaner neighborhood and a better living environment.

• Intro text: In a new edition of "Litter Picker in the Spotlight," we introduce Tim. Tim is 15 years old and helps keep his neighborhood clean. "For a few years now, I've been regularly making my rounds picking up litter," Tim explains enthusiastically.

In this edition of "Litter Picker in the Spotlight," we introduce Tim. Tim is 15 years old and helps keep his neighborhood clean. "For a few years now, I've been regularly making my rounds picking up litter," Tim explains enthusiastically.

Dream of becoming a garbage man

Tim has a big dream for the future: "I'd like to become a garbage collector someday, and my dream job would be working at Waardlanden. By cleaning up trash in my neighborhood, I can already help Waardlanden a little and contribute to a cleaner environment." Tim proves 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 trash: "I think it's really sloppy of people to throw so much trash on the street. I'd like to tell them: 'Just clean up your own mess!'" He hopes people will be more mindful and throw their trash in the bin.

Deposit and a clean neighborhood

Tim has found a clever way to earn some extra money: "I keep the cans and bottles with deposits separate. I take them to the store. That way, I actually make a little extra." So Tim not only helps keep the neighborhood clean, but he also earns some extra money.

Help from Waardlanden

His dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. "Waardlanden gave me an extra-long litter grabber. So now I can reach ditches and bushes with even more ease!" 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 it would be better if everyone just threw their trash in the bin." Let's all follow his example and keep our environment clean.

Thank you, Tim, for your amazing efforts. You're a true hero in your neighborhood!

• Intro text: Dispose of packaging in the plastic, metal, and recycling bins (PMD), but only if they are truly empty. Only then can we properly recycle and reuse the material. With the national campaign "As long as it's empty!" – from August 25th to September 7th – we're raising awareness about proper packaging disposal.

Did you know that a single half-full package can render an entire container of plastic, metal (tin) and beverage cartons (PMD) unrecyclable? The packaging then ends up in the incinerator – along with valuable raw materials we actually want to reuse. That's a waste of effort – and a waste of resources. With the national campaign "As long as it's empty!" – from August 25th to September 7th – we're raising awareness about proper packaging disposal.

Only empty packaging belongs to the PMD

Dispose of packaging in the plastic carton (PMD), but only if it's truly empty. Only then can we properly recycle the material and reuse it for new products. Squeeze, scrape, slurp, or empty it – it doesn't matter how you do it, as long as it's empty. This prevents waste and contributes to better waste separation.

Why this campaign?

Many people want to separate their waste properly, but things still go wrong. Research shows that 1 in 3 Dutch people sometimes throw away packaging that isn't empty. And only 55% know that packaging must be completely empty before it can be disposed of as plastic, metal, and recycling (PMD).

There's also confusion about what exactly belongs in PMD. As a result, easily recyclable packaging sometimes ends up in residual waste – and valuable raw materials are still lost.

For example, more than half of people are hesitant about plastic tubs containing items like cream cheese, chip bags with an aluminum lining, and aluminum trays like those used in takeout meals. Many people also think you have to rinse packaging first. This isn't necessary 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 their packaging. But with the right knowledge and small steps, we can collectively retain more value and incinerate less waste.

Unsure? Check the label or our PMD list.

It's not always clear what is and isn't allowed in the PMD. Are you unsure? Then check the separation guide or on the packaging label. You'll increasingly find the Waste Guide logo there – a handy tool for disposing of packaging correctly.

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

• Intro text: In the Haarwijk neighborhood of Gorinchem, Corrie Sterk has been working to keep her neighborhood clean from a young age. She inherited a passion for a clean living environment from her childhood. Read her inspiring story here.

In the Haarwijk neighborhood of Gorinchem, Corrie Sterk has been working to keep her neighborhood clean from a young age. She inherited a love of a clean environment from her childhood. "My father used to walk down the street with an empty bread bag. He'd pick up anything he found on the sidewalk or in the bushes and throw it in the trash at home. He set a good example for his five daughters. The seed was planted."  

Actively involved

Corrie, like her sisters, is still actively involved in environmental issues. From the Environmental Shop in Middelburg to the Donation Shop on Burgstraat, her commitment runs deep. "But one plastic bag per round is no longer enough. Society has changed. There's more waste, and people's attitudes have changed. Many people think: what happens outside my door is none of my concern."

Don't wait, take action

Corrie disagrees. She walks and collects litter, works at the Donation Shop, reports additional litter 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 actually do something." The meetings with other zappers also give her the energy to keep going. "Together you're stronger. It's good to know you're not alone."

Sometimes she gets strange questions. Like if she's doing community service. Or if she has to do this for her benefits. "No," says Corrie. "I do this because I think it's important. Because I want to contribute to a livable neighborhood."

Zapping with the grandchildren

And she doesn't do it alone. Every Thursday, her grandchildren come over – and the buckets are already there. Corrie bought special tongs, because they grab a little better than a grabber. The children, aged between 3 and 11, all participate. The youngest rides ahead on his tractor and points out the spots. Along the way, they empty the buckets into the trash cans. "And when we use our litter pass at a collection container, it's a celebration: 'I want to!' 'No, it's my turn!'"

Together for a cleaner neighborhood

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

• Intro text: A fantastic project by group 5B of De Schakel primary school. Students went out into the neighborhood, investigated litter, and collected bags full of it. From their findings, they created a colorful whale. On July 15th, they presented their artwork to us. A powerful symbol of awareness and a cleaner environment.

Bags full of litter. An investigation into what's lying around. And finally: a large, colorful whale made from litter. Students from grade 5b of De Schakel primary school in Nieuw-Lekkerland have been working hard on it these past few weeks. On Tuesday, July 15th, they presented their artwork to us.

The students went out into the neighborhood themselves and investigated what types of litter were scattered throughout the area. From beer caps to cigarette butts, cardboard, construction debris, and even an old tire: it was all in their own neighborhood. They incorporated their findings into a report and a striking artwork: a whale made of litter.

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

On July 15th, the whale was officially presented to our director, Jürgen Rau, and education officer Wessel Keizer. "What these students did goes right to the heart of our educational work," says Jürgen Rau. "They picked up litter, reflected on it, and turned it into something positive. That's exactly what we want to achieve with the Waste-Free Schools program: children discovering for themselves why waste and resources matter and that every action—no matter how small—every day makes a difference. We hope this will encourage other schools to get started too. We're happy to help."

Waste-Free Schools Program

De Schakel's project aligns with the objectives of the Waste-Free Schools program, which has been supporting primary schools in the region with education about waste, the environment, and behavior since 2014. We assist schools with teaching materials, collection tools, guest lectures, and excursions. In return, they don't have to pay for the separated waste that is collected. Around 80% of the primary schools in the region are now members. Keizer says: "We provide free materials and our expertise to schools that want to get started with waste and raw materials. Whether you're just starting out or already more advanced, we're happy to help."

The whale from De Schakel will have a prominent place in our office. Not just as a work of art, but as a lasting symbol for a generation that is learning to look differently at waste and raw materials.

• Intro text: A broken chair, an old cupboard, or a discarded table. These are items and materials that shouldn't be placed in the residual waste container, or that don't fit. And certainly don't belong on the street. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to dispose of these items properly. Much easier than you might think.

A broken chair, an old cupboard, or a discarded table. These are items and materials that shouldn't be placed in the residual waste container, or that don't fit. And certainly don't belong on the street. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to dispose of these items properly. Much easier than you might think.

Give your things a second chance

What you no longer use might still be valuable to someone else. Is it still usable? Sell it, pass it on to family or friends, or offer it through a giveaway group on social media. Items often quickly find a new home there. Of course, you can also visit Kringloopplein or a local thrift store.

Is it broken?

There are other solutions. Have it repaired at a workshop or repair café. Or have the delivery driver of your new purchase take the old device away – many suppliers offer this service as standard. If you prefer to take it away yourself, you can go to the recycling center with your recycling pass.

Take it away yourself – with a free trailer

Items that are really no longer usable can be taken to the recycling center Bring your own trailer, even if you don't have one. Did you know you can borrow a trailer for free? You can easily reserve one in advance via waardlanden.nl/zelfregelenYou may use the trailer for 2 hours to transport items to the recycling center.

Note: Bring your environmental pass when you visit the recycling center or the Kringloopplein. You'll need the pass for access.

Are you unable to drop off?

Then you can make a bulky waste appointment. Look at waardlanden.nl/grofvuil How this works and what requirements it must meet. This way you can prevent it from getting stuck.

Together we keep our streets clean – and ensure that valuable resources are not lost.

• Intro text: Cigarette butts on the street? That's simply unacceptable. Join the major cigarette butt cleanup campaign in the region on July 5th and send a clear message together with Waardlanden and ABR Activatie: cigarette butts don't belong in the environment.

Cigarette butts on the street? That's simply unacceptable. On Saturday, July 5th, it's time to take action together. Waardlanden and ABR Activatie are organizing a cigarette butt cleanup campaign in Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden. With this regional campaign, they are joining the global cleanup campaign "PeukMeuk 2025," which draws attention to cigarette butt pollution. Residents are encouraged to participate: collect dried cigarette butts and drop them off at one of the drop-off points that day. This way, together, step by step, we can start the movement towards a more responsible approach to cigarette butts and a clean and safe region.

Cigarette butts: small waste, major pollution

What starts small grows into a major environmental problem. A single cigarette filter pollutes as much as 8 liters of water and remains in the environment for 12 to 15 years. During that time, toxins leak into the soil and water, harming animals, plants, and people. Yet, thousands of cigarette butts end up in green spaces, on the streets, or in drains every day.
"Many people don't realize how harmful such a small cigarette butt can be," says environmental coach Nelleke Gouw of Waardlanden. "But it's truly shocking when you know what's in it: heavy metals, ammonia, arsenic—you don't want that in the environment. With PeukMeuk 2025, we don't just want to clean up cigarette butts, but above all, we want to raise awareness and encourage behavioral change. Because every cigarette butt that doesn't end up on the street makes a difference."

Cleaning up cigarette butts together and making them visible

Take action! Collect dried cigarette butts and drop them off at one of the drop-off points in the region on July 5th. We'll provide plenty of cigarette butts and gloves, of course. During the cleanup, the collected cigarette butts won't simply be thrown away. They'll be prominently displayed in the transparent No Waste Chair by artist Kees Dekkers. This chair, made of recycled plastic, has a 95-liter capacity and literally shows how many cigarette butts end up in public spaces every day. The fuller the chair, the stronger the message: this pollution must stop.

Submission dates: July 5

Everyone can participate. Residents can already start collecting dried cigarette butts. Drop off the cigarette butts on July 5th at one of the following locations:

• 09.30:10.30 PM - XNUMX:XNUMX PM: Vianen – Voorstraat, near the town hall 

• 11.30:12.30 PM - XNUMX:XNUMX PM: Arkel - H. de Vriesplein shopping center  

• 13.30:14.30 PM - XNUMX:XNUMX PM: Gorinchem - Schoutstraat, next to the Piazza Center shopping center  

• 15.30:16.30 PM - XNUMX:XNUMX PM: Hardinxveld-Giessendam - Passage between Dirk van den Broek and Albert Heijn  

Free pocket ashtrays will also be distributed during the campaign, so that smokers can now dispose of their cigarette butts easily and neatly.

Hey Dirty! – Campaign for Behavior Change

The cleanup is part of a broader campaign Hey Dirty!. The campaign shows how harmful cigarette butts on the street, in drains, or in green spaces are. With eye-catching posters, flyers, social media, and an online cigarette quiz, residents are challenged to test their knowledge and discover what they can do themselves. Together, we can change habits and contribute to a waste-free and clean region. Because throwing your cigarette butt on the street? That's simply not acceptable! More information about the Hey Viespeuk campaign can be found here.