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  • 04-06-2026

Separating waste. What works and what doesn't for you?

The municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden are collaborating with Waardlanden on the preparation of new regional policy for waste and raw materials. To this end, we want to better understand what helps residents in their daily practice: what works well, and what do residents find difficult when separating and disposing of waste? Therefore, we are asking residents to share their experiences with us. You can also participate.
Your experience helps municipalities make choices in the future that align with the daily lives of residents.

Complete the questionnaire

You do not need to be an expert in waste separation: your experience is what matters. Your answers are anonymous. We only use your postcode to view the results by area.

Go to questionnaire

Why are we conducting this research?

Much will change regarding waste and raw materials in the coming years. Raw materials are becoming scarcer, and national and European regulations are changing. Therefore, the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, and Vijfheerenlanden are working on a new waste plan, effective from 2027.

Before choices are made, we gather experiences at various times. 

We want to understand better: 

  • which helps residents separate waste; 
  • where doubt arises; 
  • what makes separating waste easy or difficult; 
  • what information residents need; 
  • and what helps residents at the right time. 

In conversation with residents  

After the summer, we will engage in conversations with residents at various locations. In these conversations, we will delve deeper into topics that emerge from the questionnaire.  

What do we do with the results? 

With this survey, we are gathering experiences from a broad group of residents. We are using the results in the preparation of the new waste plan. They also help to better align communication and services with what residents need. 

Frequently asked questions and answers

Much has been achieved in recent years: there is less residual waste and residents are separating better. At the same time, we are not there yet. Residual waste still contains valuable raw materials that can be reused, such as organic waste, plastic packaging, and textiles. The target of an average of 100 kilos of residual waste per inhabitant per year has not yet been met. Furthermore, regulations are changing, and there are developments regarding waste and raw materials. Therefore, a next step is needed, aimed at further improving waste separation, increasing the reuse of raw materials, and adopting an approach that fits the future.

The current regional policy is expiring. Therefore, the municipalities and Waardlanden are preparing new policy from 2027. 

In addition, much is changing regarding waste and raw materials. Consider developments in legislation and regulations, costs, and the availability of raw materials. 

Developing new policy takes time. That is why we are starting now, so that there is room to prepare carefully, involve residents, and incorporate experiences before choices are made. 

No. No substantive choices have been made yet regarding measures or changes. The municipalities and Waardlanden are first preparing a regional vision and an implementation plan. We are incorporating the experiences of residents into this.  

No. The current policy has actually been effective and forms the basis for the next step. The challenge is changing: whereas in recent years the emphasis was on setting up the system, the emphasis is now more on improving quality, behavior, and waste prevention.  

No decisions have been made yet. In the coming period, the municipalities and Waardlanden will examine the results of current policy, practical bottlenecks, and developments such as costs, regulations, and a scarcity of raw materials. Based on this, choices will later be elaborated in a regional vision and an implementation plan. 

No decisions have been made regarding this yet. Any potential financial consequences will be taken into account later during the further development of the regional vision and the implementation plan. 

Yes. We are conducting research among residents into their experiences with disposing of and separating waste and recyclable materials, and into their ideas for improvement. We do this through, among other methods, a questionnaire and street conversations with various target groups. This gives us a picture of what works well, where questions arise, and what residents need.  

The municipal councils are expected to adopt the regional vision in February 2027. This will be followed by an implementation plan with measures. The municipal executive boards are expected to adopt this plan in May 2027. 

The final decisions are made by the municipalities. 

The municipal councils adopt the regional vision. Subsequently, the municipal executive adopts the implementation plan. Waardlanden contributes ideas, provides advice, and will eventually implement a large part of the policy.