Spring brings new life to the garden. Everything grows and blooms and many people get back to work. Pruning, mowing and tidying up often generate a lot of garden waste. But not everything that comes out of the garden belongs in vegetable, fruit and garden waste or in plastic packaging, metal packaging (cans) and drink cartons (pmd). By disposing of garden waste correctly, together we will ensure a fresh and green start to spring.
Disposing of garden waste properly seems simple, but sometimes things still go wrong. Stones in the vegetable, fruit, garden and food waste (VGF), thick roots in the VGF container or hard plastic in plastic packaging, metal packaging and drink cartons (PMD). This causes problems in both collection and processing. That is why we like to explain what belongs where and why. With this knowledge, you can make things easier for yourself and together we can keep our raw materials clean.
Why proper separation is so important
Garden waste is valuable. If materials are handed in separately, they can be reused. We turn organic waste into compost, for instance, and hard plastic into new products. But that only works if waste streams are not contaminated. If they are too contaminated, an entire load can be rejected and can no longer be processed. Also, your own container may be left standing on the collection day because soiled containers cannot be emptied. It is therefore important to dispose of materials properly.
What should you pay attention to?
Small garden waste
Small garden waste can go with the organic waste. We process it into compost and green energy. Examples include grass, weeds, leaves, plants, small twigs and small quantities of earth or potting soil from flower pots can go in the organic waste.
Bulky garden waste? To the waste disposal site
Bulky garden waste is often heavy, hard or too big for the GFT container. It does not break easily and usually does not fit through the opening of the container. Think of thick branches, large roots, pieces of wood or tree trunks, these are not allowed in the organic waste. You can hand in these materials with your environmental card at the recycling centre. Broken flowerpots, stones and hydro grains do not belong in VGF waste. Throw them in the residual waste. This keeps the compost clean.
Take care with soil, sand and garden soil
Larger quantities of soil, sand or garden soil do not belong in the GFT container, nor can you take them to the waste disposal centre. They disrupt the composting process. Find out more:
What do you do with soil, sand and garden soil?
Plastic garden waste
Many types of plastic are found in the garden. Think of plant pots, cutting pots, garden chairs, rain barrels and sometimes even pieces of foil or broken tools. Not all this plastic belongs in the same place. By separating it properly, we can reuse more and more materials and collected raw materials remain clean.
- Plastic plant pots (packaging)
Many plastic plant pots and cutting pots are packaging in which plants are sold. They are easy to recycle and therefore belong with the pmd. Make sure they are empty and as clean as possible. - Hard plastic from the garden
Hard plastic is solid, solid material that is not packaging. It is not allowed with the pmd and does not belong in the organic waste container. Examples are broken garden chairs, rain barrels, watering cans, flower boxes, garden storage boxes and plastic garden baskets. Take them to the waste disposal site with your environmental pass.
Other waste from the garden
Not all garden waste is suitable for reuse or recycling. Some materials cannot be processed with the GFT and do not belong with the pmd. They consist of stone, ceramic or mixed materials and cannot be separated or reduced in the plants. Therefore, throw these materials with the residual waste:
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Broken ceramic and stone flower pots
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Hydro grains
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Loose pebbles
By throwing this material with the residual waste, you avoid pollution and we keep the streams clean.
Good garden tools? Give them a second life
Many gardening tools that you no longer need can be used by someone else. So don't throw away things that are still good. Pass them on to family, friends or neighbours, place an ad in a giveaway corner, sell them online or take them to a charity shop. Garden equipment often finds a new owner there.