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.