Spring brings new life to homes, gardens and neighbourhoods. Everything grows and blossoms and many people get back to work in the garden or enjoy going outside. Waardlanden helps you with useful tips to reduce waste, separate it better and keep the neighbourhood clean. From garden waste to old garden chairs and broken appliances - together we ensure a fresh, green start to spring.
Garden waste: what belongs where?
With the nice weather, many people get back to work in the garden. Pruning, mowing, cleaning up - and that generates garden waste. But not everything that comes out of the garden belongs in the gft or pmd.
- Small garden waste such as grass, leaves, plants, weeds and small twigs belongs in the organic waste.
- Bulky garden waste such as thick branches, tree trunks or roots can be taken to the waste disposal site using your environmental pass.
- Empty plastic plant or cutting pots may be disposed of with the pmd
- Hard plastic, such as garden chairs, watering cans and rain barrels can be taken to the recycling centre using your mileage pass.
- Pots, hydro grains and stones belong in residual waste
What to do with soil, sand and earth?
Are you going to tackle the garden or change a sandbox? Do not throw soil, sand and (garden) earth in the organic waste container or take it to the recycling centre. It seems natural, but these materials interfere with the composting process. As a result, a whole load of VGF waste can be rejected and can no longer be processed into compost or green gas.
Small quantities of potting compost or earth - e.g. from a flower pot, weeding or a small flower bed - can be disposed of in the organic waste. You can reuse small quantities of clean sand in your own garden, for example to fill a hole or loosen up the soil.
Do you have more sand or soil, such as the contents of a sandbox or during a garden renovation? Then you cannot dispose of it yourself. It does not belong with the VGF or residual waste and cannot be taken to the waste disposal centre. This is because of the clean soil declaration: we can only take soil and sand if we are sure that it is clean. Are you having your garden done by a landscaper? Then ask them to remove the soil and materials.
If you do it yourself, you can have larger quantities collected by special companies that take these materials, inspect them and purify them for reuse, such as Korevaar or Weverwijk. In this way, together we keep the soil clean and prevent pollution.
Where do sand, soil and (garden) earth belong?
DIY or remodelling? Watch out for asbestos!
Are you doing odd jobs or remodelling in a house or barn built before 1994? Then be careful: asbestos may be present. You may come across it in, for example, roof boards, ceiling tiles, window sills, pipes or floor canvas. Never just start drilling, sawing or breaking. Damage will release fibres that are dangerous to your health. Check in advance whether asbestos is present and take measures in time.
Use Milieucentraal's Tailored Advice to find out if you may encounter asbestos.
You may only remove asbestos yourself if it is small (maximum 35 m²), the sheets are screwed and the material is still firmly attached. In all other cases, engage a recognised company and report the removal through the Environment Desk.
Safely to the waste disposal site
Do you want to bring asbestos to the waste disposal site? Come well prepared:
- Make an advance demolition notification to your local council and Environment Desk. Sometimes a permit is required.
- Pick up special packaging film and tape for free at the waste disposal site. Then pack the asbestos at home, airtight and double.
- Fill it fill in a form stating that you have come to bring asbestos. Take this form and your demolition notification or permit with you to the waste disposal site and hand it in to the manager.
- Material resembling asbestos, such as asbestos-free corrugated sheets, are treated as asbestos at the waste disposal site. Therefore, this material must also be delivered properly packaged.
By doing so, you help ensure the safe and responsible disposal of asbestos - for yourself, your family and our employees.
Find out more about safe asbestos removal and disposal
Clean together into spring
Spring is the time to get outside. Walking, cycling or just enjoying the sunshine. More and more residents roll up their sleeves and pick up litter along the way. Thanks to these litter pickers, our streets, parks and footpaths stay tidy - something we are proud of. Do you enjoy walking and want to contribute to a clean neighbourhood too? Request a free litter picker via milieucoach@waardlanden.nl. Every piece of litter picked up makes a difference. Want to know more about what you can do? Take a look below.
Find out more about litter picking
Together through the seasons
With small actions, you can make a big difference yourself. Together, we ensure less waste, a clean neighbourhood and a pleasant living environment. So we go through the seasons together, step by step to a waste-free future
Looking for more inspiration to avoid wasting resources? View more handy tips