• Intro text: Wow! More than 5.100 people participated in our waste survey between December 30, 2024, and January 27, 2025. That's a record, and we're thrilled about it.

Wow! More than 5.100 residents participated in our waste survey between December 30, 2024, and January 27, 2025. That's a record, and we're thrilled about it.

Valuable insights

With all these answers, we gain a better understanding of what's going well and what could be improved. This allows us to work together on smart solutions to reduce waste and separate it even more effectively.

What now?

Independent research agency Avalon is currently reviewing all responses. We'll share the results with you around summer.
Thank you again for your time and feedback. Together we will ensure a waste-free and clean region.

• Intro text: We regularly highlight someone who is committed to a cleaner neighborhood. This time it's litter picker Dick Roodhorst from Ameide. Dick enthusiastically explains what drives him and why he enjoys helping out.

We regularly highlight someone who is committed to a cleaner neighborhood. This time it's Dick Roodhorst from Ameide. He's been picking up litter since he retired in 2021. This way, he enjoys being outdoors and doing something useful at the same time. Dick enthusiastically explains what drives him and why he enjoys helping out.

• Intro text: Ever wonder which bin a product or material belongs in? Our waste separation guide can help! You can now download it in eight different languages. You can print it and hang it somewhere handy at home. Then you'll always know which bin to put your raw materials in.

Ever wonder which bin a product or material belongs in? Our waste separation guide can help! You can now download it in eight different languages. You can print it and hang it somewhere handy at home. Then you'll always know which bin to put your raw materials in.

With the campaign Nice and tidy We're helping residents further reduce waste and separate it even more effectively. This reduces the amount of residual waste that needs to be incinerated at high costs, and allows for the recycling of as many raw materials as possible. Proper waste and raw material separation is crucial for giving as many materials as possible a second life. This way, waste becomes raw material again. All help and tips We have collected them for you on the campaign page.

Make waste separation easier

Not sure where something belongs? Then use the handy waste separation guide in the Waardlanden app. This way, you always have all the information about waste and raw materials at your fingertips. Prefer a paper waste separation guide in a different language? You can view the waste separation guide in up to eight languages, download it, and even print it out. Then you can hang it in a handy place at home and quickly see what goes where. 

• Download the handy waste separation guide in Dutch
• Download the handy waste separation guide in Arabic
• Download the handy waste separation guide in English
• Download the handy waste separation guide in Ukrainian
• Download the handy waste separation guide in Polish
• Download the handy waste separation guide in Romanian
• Download the handy waste separation guide in Spanish
• Download the handy waste separation guide in Turkish

• Intro text: Do you have textiles you no longer wear or use? Don't throw them away with your residual waste. Give them a new life. Discover what you can do with your discarded textiles.

Unfortunately, 7 kilos of textiles per person still end up in residual waste every year and ultimately end up in the incinerator. This is a shame and, of course, not the intention. Give discarded textiles a new life or put them in the textile recycling bin.

Give your textiles a new life

Many people will be clearing out their closets in the coming weeks. Do you have textiles you no longer wear or use? Never throw them away with the residual waste. There are so many better options. Give your reusable clothing, shoes, coats, bags, sheets, towels, and stuffed animals to someone who could use them, or sell them (online). You can also bring them to the Recycling center, thrift store or the gift shop. There are also regular special clothing fairs and swap meets where you can swap your items. This way, you give your textiles a new life!

Collection containers for textiles

You can also bring textiles to one of our recycling centers Or put it in the special textile collection container in your neighborhood. Worn and damaged fabrics are also welcome. Clothing, shoes, coats, bags, sheets, towels, curtains, and even stuffed animals are welcome.

Most sustainable solution for your textiles

At textile collection company Sympany, the collected textiles are sorted and prepared for the next phase. The majority (approximately 73%) of the collected textiles can be reused. This is the most sustainable solution. The remaining textiles are recycled. These are used to make things like new yarns or insulation materials.

Please help and return clean and dry textiles

Textiles are a major environmental burden. If textiles are disposed of incorrectly, we waste valuable resources. Separately collecting and reusing textiles is best for our planet. Make sure to put your clean and dry textiles in a sealed plastic bag to prevent them from getting wet. Not sure whether a material is allowed in the textile recycling bin? Then check here. waardlanden.nl/textiel. Or view the separation guide on our website or in the Waardlanden app.

• Intro text: On Saturday, September 21st, enthusiastic participants in the Clean Up on Tour removed a whopping 132,9 kilos of litter from the canals and waterways of Gorinchem. They picked up cans, plastic bags, and other trash from SUP boards, using grabbers and garbage bags.

Sporty clean-up action with results

With the help of enthusiastic participants, glorious weather, and a sporting challenge, the goal of cleaner water has come another step closer. During the cleanup on Saturday, September 21st, a total of 132,9 kilos of waste was removed from the waterways and canals in Gorinchem. Participants took to the water on SUP boards, armed with grabbers and garbage bags to remove cans, plastic bags, and other litter. Thanks to the excellent guidance of an experienced instructor, everyone took to the water with confidence.

Many people watched from the sidelines, complimenting the participants. Some even indicated they wanted to participate again next year! The event not only improved the environment but also brought people together for a common cause.

Together for cleaner water

Thanks to the efforts of all participants, we've made a significant contribution to cleaner water in Gorinchem. Not only have we made the city more beautiful, but we've also made the water safer for all life in it. Together, we've made a difference!

• Intro text: In our region, there are many fanatic zappers who do everything they can to keep things clean and tidy. And some people go even further. One of these people is Maarten Kerkhof.

There are many dedicated Zappers in our region who go above and beyond to keep things clean and tidy. Some people go even further. One of these people is Maarten Kerkhof.

About 20 to 30 years ago, Maarten started picking up litter along the Lek River. He also spent years clearing trash from the grass at the Middelwaard recreation area. This was desperately needed because otherwise, the lawn couldn't be mowed. Every morning, he collected a full garbage bag, often with the same items, such as empty soda cans.

At the source 

And that's exactly what got Maarten thinking. A good example: For a while, Maarten walked the same route along the dike. There, at one point, he found a lot of plastic cups (the kind used in coffee machines). To test the waters, he walked a little further the next time. There, the number of cups decreased. On his way back, he saw a construction company along the route. Maarten went inside.

The positive approach

The construction company owner was embarrassed by what had happened. Because yes, it was indeed the cups from his coffee machine. A sticker on the machine already helped raise some awareness. Maarten emphasizes the importance of engaging in conversation and staying positive.

Be proud

Maarten's advice to (new) litter pickers: Be proud and stay positive! Maarten used to be ashamed of picking up litter. Until he realized: "I'm picking up litter for others, not theirs." That made a world of difference for him.

Measuring is knowing

Maarten now works as a river waste monitoring officer at GoClean Netherlands. Collecting data is crucial. The results of this data allow us to exert pressure on plastics manufacturers, for example, at a national level. Would you like to record your own collection? There are several ways to do so. Take a look at the following websites: Supporter of Clean en WePlog.

• Intro text: We proudly present our 2023 digital annual magazine. In this magazine, we'd like to take you through the events and achievements of an extraordinary year full of challenges, highlights, but unfortunately also difficult moments and sadness.

We proudly present our 2023 annual magazine, in which we look back on an extraordinary year full of challenges, highlights, and efforts leading up to the implementation of the new waste and raw materials policy.

In the annual magazine, you can read more about our services and key figures, hear from employees about what the changes mean for their work, and learn more about the joint efforts of our employees, partners, and associates for a clean environment and a waste-free future.

> Discover more in the 2023 Waardlanden annual magazine

Enjoy reading!

• Intro text: Starting December 1, 2023, you're welcome at all our recycling centers with your recycling pass. Do you live in a rural area or on the edge of your municipality? Then keep an eye on your mailbox this week. We'll send you your recycling pass this week.

Starting December 1, 2023, you are welcome at our recycling centers with an environmental pass. In 2024, residents of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, or Molenlanden can bring bulky garden waste, rubble, clean wood, pressure-treated wood, plaster/aerated concrete, bitumen (roofing felt), and bulky household waste to one of our recycling centers free of charge three times a year. You will have to pay for the fourth visit. All other waste and raw materials can continue to be brought free of charge. If you live in Vijfheerenlanden, you will also need the environmental pass for access, but you will not have to pay separately for any type of waste or raw material. The municipality of Vijfheerenlanden will decide on the introduction of fees at a later date.

Consciously dealing with waste and raw materials 

Most waste and raw materials can still be reused very well. Items that are still in good condition can be given away, sold, or recycled. cycle If it is broken, you can have it repaired at a workshop or repair caféYou can also hand in your old or broken device or have it taken away by the supplier of your new device. 

You can reduce bulky waste by disassembling items made of multiple materials at home and taking them separately to the recycling center. For example, consider a broken hard plastic chair with metal legs. You can recycle many materials for free without any restrictions if you take them to the recycling center separately. Always remember to bring your recycling pass. Without one, you will no longer be able to visit our recycling centers after December 1, 2023.  

Environmental pass also available for residents of rural areas 

Because residents will no longer be able to visit our recycling centers without an environmental pass after December 1, 2023, we will also send an environmental pass to residents of rural areas and on the outskirts of the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden on November 20, 2023. 

The polluter pays 

Bulky waste is household waste that is too large or too heavy for the residual waste container, such as a broken chair or a discarded table. Bulky waste is often incinerated at a high cost. This means that many reusable raw materials are lost. This is not only very expensive but also bad for the environment. 

You can take bulky waste to the recycling center yourself or have it collected from your home. Starting January 1, 2024, a fee will apply. The municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, and Molenlanden are introducing these fees to keep waste processing costs manageable and distribute them more fairly. This ensures that the "polluter pays." So you only pay for your own bulky waste.  

Municipalities also want to encourage residents to separate their bulky waste at home and take it to the recycling center. This allows raw materials to be reused, which is better for the environment and your wallet.

More information can be found at waardlanden.nl/grofvuil 

Residents of the former municipality of Lingewaal

Residents of Asperen, Herwijnen, Heukelum, Spijk, and Vuren will receive more information from Avri this week about how they can visit the Waardlanden recycling center with their Avri pass.

• Intro text: Have you ever wondered what happens to our waste and separated raw materials after we throw them away? Discover how "waste" can be transformed into new raw materials for new products.

Have you ever wondered what happens to our waste and separated raw materials after we throw them away? Collected raw materials are sent to a processor. There, they are converted into raw materials used for new products. This way, we have to extract fewer new materials from the earth, and there's less residual waste left over to incinerate. After all, everything we have to incinerate is gone forever. And that's a shame. That's why separating waste is so important! 

What are raw materials?  

Raw materials are materials used to make new products. Think of paper, plastic, metal, and packaging glass. These materials can be recycled and transformed into new products. By separating waste, we can ensure these raw materials are used as effectively as possible and are not wasted. 

Why is waste separation so important? 

Waste separation is very important for several reasons: 

1. To conserve natural resources. By separating and recycling waste and raw materials, we can reduce the use of new raw materials. This saves valuable natural resources such as trees (for paper), petroleum (for plastic), and ore (for metal).  

2. For waste reduction. By separating and recycling waste and raw materials, we can reduce the amount of waste sent to the incinerator. This results in lower CO2 emissions.  

3. For energy savings. Recycling raw materials often requires less energy than producing new ones. By recycling raw materials, we can therefore save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.  

Which raw materials are important? 

When separating waste at home, there are important raw materials we need to pay attention to:

Paper Industry

Paper can be recycled about seven times and used to make new paper. For example, A4 paper can become a newspaper, and a newspaper can become toilet paper.

Plastic packaging

Plastic can be recycled and used for new plastic products.

Metal

Metal, such as tin cans and aluminum foil, can be melted down and reused for new metal products. By recycling metals, we save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Glass

Packaging glass can be recycled infinitely without loss of quality. By collecting glass separately, we can make new glass bottles and jars from it. 

Gft 

Vegetable, fruit, garden, and food waste are perfect for composting. By adding compost between shrubs, plants, and crops, you improve soil quality and improve rainwater drainage.  

How can you help? 

The good news is that you too can contribute to the process of turning waste into new raw materials! You can take a few simple steps: 

Separating waste

Make sure you separate your waste properly at home. Use separate bins or bags to make separating easier. Read our blog for helpful tips on how to best separate your waste. 

Use the separation guide

Use the handy online divorce guide Or use the separation guide in the Waardlanden app. This way, you'll know exactly which waste belongs in which bin or container, and what can and cannot be recycled. 

Reduce your waste

Try to be mindful of your use and reduce the amount of waste you produce. For example, use reusable bags, bottles, and containers.  

Together we make a difference! 

By properly separating waste and raw materials, we can preserve valuable resources and contribute to a more sustainable world. So let's all do our part and make a difference together! 

• Intro text: Waardlanden collects waste and raw materials for Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden. This process involves processing personal data, as outlined in the Household Waste Privacy Statement.

Waardlanden collects waste and raw materials for the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden. Personal data is also processed in the performance of these tasks.

The way in which the municipalities and Waardlanden handle this personal data is laid down in the Household Waste Privacy Statement. The privacy statement is here You can find the statement on our website. In the Waardlanden app, you'll find it in the menu under "Information." The privacy statement can also be found on the websites of the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden.

More general information on the topic of privacy can be found in the Privacy Policy and in it Privacy Policy from Waardlanden.