• Intro text: In our region, there are many avid Zappers who do everything they can to keep it clean and tidy. And great initiatives are still emerging. Earlier this year, for instance, Paul Glorie and a group of residents of the new residential complex Het Spoel in Gorinchem had a super idea: keep the neighbourhood clean together.

In our region, there are many avid zappers who do everything they can to keep it clean and tidy. And great initiatives are still emerging. Earlier this year, for instance, Paul Glorie and a group of residents of the new residential complex Het Spoel in Gorinchem had a super idea: keeping the neighbourhood clean together. They wanted to create a nice, clean environment where everyone feels comfortable. What started as a small idea soon became an enthusiastic project in which many local residents enjoy participating.

Young and old in action together

With the slogan "A clean Spoel gives a tidy feeling", Paul and his neighbours regularly go out to clean up litter. Armed with litter picks and bags, they collect cans, packaging and other litter to keep the neighbourhood looking tidy. It also brings residents closer together. Children often enjoy helping. Older residents find it fun and a good way to stay active.

A radiant neighbourhood thanks to Paul and his litter buddies

The result is impressive. Around the Het Spoel residential complex and the streets around it, it looks radiant. The residents are proud of that. Paul's initiative shows that you can achieve a lot for your neighbourhood with a small idea. We are very grateful to Paul and his litter mates for their efforts, and hope that this initiative inspires others to join in too. Who knows, we might soon see more local residents, like Paul, making their neighbourhood a bit cleaner.

• Intro text: Wow! More than 5,100 people took part in our survey on waste between 30 December 2024 and 27 January 2025. That is a record and we are very happy about it.

Wow! More than 5,100 residents participated in our survey on waste between 30 December 2024 and 27 January 2025. That is a record, and we are very happy about it.

Valuable insights

All these answers will give us a better picture of what is going well and what could be improved. That way, we can work together on smart solutions to reduce waste and separate it even better.

How to proceed now?

Independent research firm Avalon is now reviewing all responses. We will share the results with you around the summer.
Thank you again for your time and opinion. Together we will ensure a waste-free and clean region.

• Intro text: Residents could hand in their Christmas trees between 27 December and 11 January at collection sites, the environmental street or the Kringloopplein in Nieuw-Lekkerland. Each real Christmas tree earned a 50-cent reward.

Between 27 December and 11 January, a total of 6918 Christmas trees were collected in the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden. Of these, as many as 5522 trees (79.8%) were handed in at the collection locations on 3 and 4 January. The remaining 1396 trees (20.2%) were taken to the environmental centres.

A nice pocket money and a clean neighbourhood

Every real Christmas tree - without wooden cross, pot, nails and decoration - earned a 50-cent reward. For many children, this was the chance to go out into the neighbourhood and collect trees with friends during the Christmas holidays. Behind the bike, on foot or with the help of parents or carers, the trees were handed in at the various collection locations. This way, they not only earned a nice pocket money, but also helped to keep the neighbourhood clean and tidy.

What happens to the Christmas trees?

The trees handed in were shredded immediately and processed into valuable raw materials such as compost, green gas and ground cover. Some of the bedding went to a nearby farm. There, it serves as a lovely warm and fragrant bed for the cows in the free-range barn. When cow manure is added, it composts. This compost can later be spread on the land again. Thus, discarded Christmas trees are not waste, but a valuable raw material.

Together we make a difference

With 6918 Christmas trees collected, we ensure a tidy start to the year. The Christmas tree collection is a great example of cooperation between residents, contractors and Waardlanden. We thank everyone who handed in a Christmas tree. Together we prevent waste and make a difference.

• Intro text: We regularly put someone in the limelight who works for a cleaner neighbourhood. This time it is litter picker Dick Roodhorst from Ameide. Dick talks enthusiastically about what drives him and why he enjoys helping.

We regularly put someone in the limelight who works for a cleaner neighbourhood. This time it is Dick Roodhorst from Ameide. He has been picking up litter since he retired in 2021. This way, he enjoys being outdoors and being useful at the same time. Dick talks enthusiastically about what drives him and why he enjoys helping.

• Intro text: Do you ever wonder in which waste bin a  product or material belongs? Our waste separation guide helps! You can now download it in as many as eight different languages. You can print it out and put it in a handy place at home. Then you will always know in which container to put your raw materials.

Do you ever wonder in which waste bin a  product or material belongs? Our waste separation guide helps! You can now download it in as many as eight different languages. You can print it out and put it in a handy place at home. Then you will always know in which container to put your raw materials.

With the campaign Nice and tidy we help residents further reduce waste and separate it even better. This way, less residual waste remains to be incinerated at high cost and as many raw materials as possible can be recycled. Proper separation of waste and raw materials is important to give a second life to as many materials as possible. This way, waste becomes raw material again. All help and tips we have collected for you on the campaign page.

Make waste separation easier

Not sure where something belongs? Then use the handy separation guide in the Waardlanden app. This way you always have all information about waste and raw materials to hand. Prefer a paper waste separation guide in another language? You can view the waste separation guide in as many as eight languages, download it and print it out if necessary. Then you can hang it up in a handy place at home and quickly see what belongs where. 

• Download the handy waste separation guide in Dutch
• Download the handy waste sorting guide in Arabic
• Download the handy waste sorting guide in English
• Download the handy waste sorting guide in Ukrainian
• Download the handy waste sorting guide in Polish
• Download the handy waste sorting guide in Romanian
• Download the handy waste sorting guide in Spanish
• Download the handy waste sorting guide in Turkish

• Intro text: Do you have textiles you no longer wear and use yourself? Then don't throw it in the rubbish. But give it a new life. Find out what you can do with your discarded textiles.

Unfortunately, 7 kg of textiles per person still end up in residual waste every year and eventually end up in the incinerator. This is a shame and, of course, not the intention. Give discarded textiles a new life too or put them in the textile collection container for recycling.

Give your textiles a new lease of life

Over the next few weeks, many people are clearing out their cupboards again. Do you have textiles you no longer wear or use yourself? Never throw it in the residual waste. There are so many better options. Give your reusable clothes, shoes, coats, bags, sheets, towels and cuddly toys to someone who can put them to good use, or sell them (online). You can also bring it to the Kringlooplein, the thrift shop or the gift shop. There are also regular special clothing fairs and swap markets where you can exchange your items. This is how you give your textiles a new life!

Collection containers for textiles

You can also bring textiles to one of our environmental centres or put them in the special collection container for textiles in your neighbourhood. Worn and broken fabrics are also allowed there. Clothes, shoes, coats, bags, sheets, towels, curtains and even cuddly toys are welcome.

Most sustainable solution for your textiles

At textile collector Sympany, the collected textiles are sorted and prepared for the next phase. Most (around 73%) of the collected textiles can be reused. This is the most sustainable solution. The rest of the textiles follow the recycling route. From this, new yarns or insulation materials, for example, are made.

Help out and return textiles clean and dry

Textiles are a major environmental burden. When textiles are disposed of incorrectly, we waste a lot of precious resources. Collecting textiles separately and reusing them is best for our planet. Do put your textiles clean and dry in a sealed plastic bag so the textiles don't get wet. Are you unsure whether or not a material is allowed in the textile container? Then take a look at waardlanden.nl/textiles. Or view the separation guide on our website or in the Waardlanden app.

• Intro text: On Saturday 21 September, enthusiastic participants removed no less than 132.9 kilos of litter from Gorinchem's canals and waters during Clean Up on Tour. From a SUP board, they picked up cans, plastic bags and other litter, with grabbers and rubbish bags in hand.

Sports clean-up action with results

With the help of enthusiastic participants, brilliant weather and a sporting challenge, the goal of cleaner water has come another step closer. During the clean-up campaign on Saturday 21 September, a total of 132.9 kg of litter was removed from the waters and canals in Gorinchem. Participants took to the water on a SUP board, armed with grabs and rubbish bags to remove cans, plastic bags and other litter. Thanks to good guidance from an experienced instructor, everyone went out on the water with confidence.

Along the side, many people were watching, complimenting the participants. Some even expressed their desire to participate next year too! The event not only ensured a cleaner environment, but also brought people together for a common cause.

Together for cleaner water

Thanks to the efforts of all participants, we made an important contribution to cleaner water in Gorinchem. Not only did we make the city more beautiful, but we also made the water safer for everything that lives in it. Together, we have made a difference!

• Intro text: In our region, there are many avid zappers who go out of their way to keep it clean and tidy. And some people go a step further. One of these people is Maarten Kerkhof.

There are many avid Zappers in our region who go out of their way to keep it clean and tidy. Some people go a step further. One of these people is Maarten Kerkhof.

Some 20-30 years ago, Maarten started picking up litter along the Lek River. He also collected litter from the grass at the Middelwaard recreation area for years. This was badly needed because otherwise it could not be mowed. Every morning he collected a rubbish bag full, often with the same products. Think of empty soda cans.

At the source 

And exactly that got Maarten thinking. Case in point: For a while, Maarten walked the same way along the dyke. There, on a certain stretch, he found a lot of plastic cups (coming from a coffee machine). To put it to the test, he walked a bit further the next time. There, the number of cups decreased. Walking back, he saw a construction company along the route. There Maarten stepped inside.

The positive approach

The owner of the construction company was ashamed of what had happened. Because yes, it was indeed the cups from his coffee machine. A sticker on the vending machine already helped for some awareness. Maarten stresses that it is important to start the conversation and stay positive.

Be proud

Maarten's advice to (new) litter pickers: Be proud and stay positive! Very early on, Maarten was ashamed to pick up litter. Until he thought: 'I clean up litter for someone else and not from someone else.' That made a world of difference to him.

To measure is to know

Maarten now works as a river waste monitoring employee at GoClean Netherlands. Because collecting data is very important. With the outcome of this data, we can put pressure on e.g. plastic producers on a national level. Would you like to record what you have collected yourself? There are several ways to do so. Just take a look at the following websites: Supporter of Clean and WePlog.

• Intro text: In our region, there are people who really do something for a cleaner environment. Ricardo Stuurman is a good example. He cleans up litter in Gorinchem and the surrounding area. In this way, Ricardo contributes to a cleaner neighbourhood for all of us.

In our region, there are people who really do something for a cleaner environment. Ricardo Stuurman is a good example. He cleans up litter in Gorinchem and the surrounding area. In this way, Ricardo contributes to a cleaner neighbourhood for all of us.

Walking with a purpose

'I help to clean up litter because I think it is important for us to have a clean neighbourhood,' Ricardo explains. 'I enjoy taking walks and it feels good to do something for our neighbourhood right then.' Thus, he turns his walks into a kind of mission to keep the neighbourhood clean.

Bicycle and litter pick-up

Even when Ricardo is on his bike, he pays attention to litter. 'If I see litter, I clean it up,' he says. For him, it is normal to help keep the environment clean wherever he is.

Ensign municipal clean

Ricardo also talks about his name, Ensign municipal clean. 'Under this name, I clean up litter. I like that,' he says proudly. The name fits well with what he does and makes it even more fun.

Ricardo encourages others to also do something for a cleaner neighbourhood. 'Just start, all small actions help. Together we can achieve a lot!'

• Intro text: We are proud to present our 2023 digital annual magazine. In this magazine, we would like to take you through the events and results of a special year full of challenges, highlights, but unfortunately also with difficult moments and sadness.

We proudly present our annual magazine 2023, in which we look back on a special year full of challenges, highlights and efforts leading up to the introduction of the new waste and raw materials policy.

In the annual magazine, you can read more about our services, the key facts, employees talk about what the changes mean for their work and you can read more about the joint commitment of our employees, partners and associates to a clean environment and a waste-free future.

> Find out more in Waardlanden's annual magazine 2023

Happy reading!