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Many residents have questions about the new waste and resources policy, waste separation and waste charges. This is understandable. That is why you will find answers to frequently asked questions on waste separation here.
Do you have another question? Ask us your question. We will do our best to answer your question to the best of our ability. And you help complete this list of frequently asked questions right away.
Yes, definitely! Our waste contains important raw materials. All raw materials that we collect separately are processed separately for recycling. This applies to organic waste, waste paper, glass, textiles, plastic packaging, metal packaging and drinks cartons, batteries and various bulky household waste streams that you bring to the waste disposal site.
Recycling is good for the environment as well as for the wallet. The municipality receives compensation for recyclable streams from waste processors. The municipality incorporates all revenues and charges into the waste disposal fee. Better separation of reusable materials can keep it as low as possible.
No! Only the waste from the residual waste container is burned in waste incinerators. The other raw materials such as VGF, waste paper, glass, textiles, plastic packaging, metal packaging and drinks cartons, batteries and various bulky household waste streams that you bring to the waste disposal site are processed and recycled.
Occasionally, there is too much contamination in the raw materials collected. Then the processor or recycler does not accept a shipment. In that case, unfortunately, the raw materials have to be incinerated.
Italy does not have enough capacity to process residual waste. In 2022, there was a major fire at Rome's largest waste treatment plant. The new plant is not expected to be finished until 2026 at the earliest. Until then, the residual waste has to go somewhere. The Netherlands has a large capacity to burn waste. This is because in the Netherlands, 60 per cent of waste is already collected separately and recycled. This leaves less residual waste to be incinerated.
If Italy cannot incinerate the residual waste, it has to be landfilled. This is the most harmful to the environment. At a landfill, formation of methane takes place. Methane is a greenhouse gas 28 times stronger than CO2.
So separating and recycling waste and raw materials properly is very important. If we avoid residual waste and reuse and recycle more, we need to take fewer materials from the earth. Because everything we burn is gone for good and cannot be reused. If residual waste remains after proper separation, it has to be incinerated. These costs will increase in the coming years. Because, for instance, residual waste processing fees and central government taxes continue to rise. Less residual waste is therefore important for the environment and your wallet.
By source separation, we mean that you as a resident separate your waste yourself at home. This way, many more types of waste are separated than post-separation with a machine. The waste you separate at home can be very well recycled.
In post-separation, a machine at a plant separates residual waste. This preserves valuable materials that we would otherwise have to incinerate. The machine can by no means separate all types of waste. Mainly plastic packaging, cans and drink cartons can be separated from residual waste in post-separation. Other valuable waste streams are lost.
Subsequent separation by machine is always complementary to source separation. In low-rise dwellings source separation yield the best quality raw materials. It is also the cheapest way to separate waste. In flats and flats, it is less easy to separate waste at home. There, post-separation with a machine is a better choice to still be able to recycle valuable raw materials such as plastic packaging, cans and drink cartons.
Home separation with containers is very successful at low-rise buildings in our region. It produces the best quality raw materials. It is also the most inexpensive way to separate waste.
For high-rise and low-rise houses without space for containers, collection in collection containers for pmd is much lower. This is also a national picture.
By opting for post-separation of PMD from residual waste for high-rise and low-rise houses without space for containers, we need to incinerate less residual waste expensively and can therefore recycle more. Therefore, for high-rise and low-rise houses without space for containers, post-separation of PMD is the best choice.
A machine can also extract raw materials from residual waste afterwards. But this only applies to plastic packaging, cans and drink cartons. Separating organic waste, paper, cardboard, packaging glass and textiles afterwards is not technically possible (yet).
This is partly true. Many people know well what goes with the pmd but not everyone does. And separating plastic in particular is quite difficult, because what goes where?
> Find out what does and does not belong to the pmd
In doubt or have a question about waste separation? Put your question to our environmental coaches. They are happy to help.
In doubt about whether to separate a product or material? Find out more about what waste is allowed where.
To avoid unpleasant odours, you can you keep dirty nappies in sealed bags. Special bags that absorb odour can also be bought in supermarkets and drugstores.
The aim of the new policy is to reduce the amount of residual waste. Of course, these bags don't fit into that. Therefore, look into the possibility of washable nappies. These have improved significantly in recent years.
Dog and cat faeces belong in the residual waste. So it does not belong in the GFT container or on the compost heap. Because there is then a risk of animal diseases being transmitted with the compost.
Now some dog owners, when walking their dogs, throw the dog waste bags directly into a residual waste collection container. In 2023, we will close these. This is part of the introduction of the new waste and resources policy. You will then have access with an environmental pass to the residual waste collection container in your neighbourhood. You will then pay a recycling fee each time you open the residual waste collection container. Dog owners have questions about this. And that is understandable. That is why we are looking at possible solutions together with the municipalities.
At least you can throw away your dog poop bags:
