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Tackling litter

Litter is litter that's left lying around on the streets and in nature. This waste is left behind or thrown away by people. Think of cigarette butts, chewing gum, and packaging such as drink cans, bottles, and candy wrappers. This causes a lot of annoyance. It's bad for people, animals, and the environment. Moreover, it attracts vermin, and cleaning it up is very costly for society. 

Litter on the streets and in green spaces decomposes very slowly. Chewing gum takes at least 20 years to decompose, and a beverage can barely decomposes. Some materials, such as glass and plastic, don't even decompose at all. Therefore, always throw your waste in a public trash bin or take it home with you. This way, you can separate it properly. Beverage cans and bottles now have a deposit, so you can even return them.   

Getting started as a litter picker

Would you like to keep your street, green space, schoolyard, or shopping area clean, and organize cleanups, either alone or with a group? We can help you with materials and tips. Together, we'll keep our environment clean and beautiful. It's infectious: a place we actively keep clean stays cleaner. And cleanups are fun to do; you'll get a great outdoors experience.

How does it work?

Clean Together, Happy Together!If you'd like to pick up litter on your own or organize a campaign, we can help you with the necessary supplies:

  • Safety vests
  • waste bags
  • skewers
  • Gloves

Afterward, we'll come by with one of our trucks and take away the bags of litter. Or, if you occasionally have a full bag of litter, please throw it in an underground residual waste container in the neighborhood.

More information and registration 

Our environmental coach Nelleke will answer all your questions and is happy to help you: 

Getting started as a litter picker

Do you regularly pick up litter?

Waardlanden and the municipalities are very grateful for your voluntary litter pick-up, helping to keep our beautiful environment clean and safe. Every form of litter pickup is a step in the right direction toward making our region more beautiful and cleaner. Some people pick up litter while walking their dog, while others choose to go out on a fixed day each week or month. As a litter picker, you decide when and how often you pick up litter.  

Litter pass: no costs for throwing away litter

Everyone who helps keep our environment clean should be able to dispose of collected litter in a residual waste container. With our special litter pass, you can open the residual waste containers in your neighborhood for free starting January 1, 2024, to dispose of collected litter.

The introduction of the recycling fee in Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, and Molenlanden will not increase your cost of disposing of collected litter. You will only pay for the disposal of your household residual waste. The recycling fee will not apply to residents of Vijfheerenlanden in 2024. This municipality will decide on the recycling fee after evaluating the effects of the other measures. 

Applying for a litter pass

Are you interested in a litter pass? Contact our environmental coaches via milieucoach@waardlanden.nlThey will process your application. You will receive an application form by email with which you can apply for the litter pass and the terms and conditions of use. We like to make clear agreements in advance with each litter picker regarding the use of the litter pass. You can find the terms and conditions here. terms of use of the litter pass.

Registration of personal data

We use the information you provide when applying for the litter pass to officially register you as a litter volunteer and to keep you informed of news and developments regarding litter. We record the deposits you make with your litter pass. This information helps us determine whether you are using the pass in accordance with its terms of use. To investigate Waardlanden's use of the litter pass and its policy objectives, we generate reports on the registered deposits. Would you like more information about how Waardlanden processes personal data related to waste collection? Visit waardlanden.nl/privacy.

Do you have a question about the litter pass?

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the litter pass here. Do you have another question? Ask us your questionWe'll do our best to answer your question as best we can. And by doing so, you'll help us add to this list of frequently asked questions. 

'Hey Viespeuk' campaign: taking action against cigarette filters on the streets

Just shoot it away or kick it out. Throwing our cigarette filters on the street, in the green, or in the drain is a habit we need to change as soon as possible. Every cigarette butt is one too many. It's not only dirty, but it's also extremely bad for the environment and our health. Hey DirtyThe campaign aims to combat the enormous amount of cigarette filters on the streets, highlight their social undesirability, and change smokers' behavior.

Discover the campaign here

Our newsletter for litter pickers

Our special newsletter for litter pickers keeps you informed about news, campaigns, interesting facts, and the results regarding litter. 

Subscribe to the newsletter for litter pickers

Read previous newsletters for litter pickers here