• 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: Do you want to separate your fruit, vegetable and garden waste and food scraps without suffering from nasty smells, fruit flies and maggots? Discover here four handy tips to ensure your GFT container stays clean and fresh.

Food waste, fruit, vegetable and garden waste are valuable raw materials that can be made into biogas and compost. These tips will help you avoid unpleasant odours, fruit flies and maggots:

Tip 1: Put a newspaper on the bottom

Put a newspaper on the bottom of the GFT container to prevent sticking.

Tip 2: Make sure there is no plastic with it

Use only compostable bags for GFT.

Tip 3: Pack food waste smartly

Wrap bones, bones, meat and fish scraps in newspaper. This prevents odours and maggots.

Tip 4: Freeze food leftovers until collection day

Freeze meat and fish scraps until collection day, this prevents unpleasant odours and maggots.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

• 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!

• Intro text: Captain of The Plastic Geurrilla Bram from der Wal is firmly and passionately committed to tackling pollution in our and our children's and grandchildren's future environment.

In the quiet and green Alblasserwaard, a group of people once got together with a mission: to fight litter in the beautiful region. This is how environmental initiative The Plastic Guerrilla (DPG) was born six years ago. DPG leader Bram from der Wal is firmly and passionately committed to tackling pollution in our region and the future living environment of our children and grandchildren.

Growing strength

Of course, it does not do so alone. Armed with grabs and rubbish bags, the environmental group, together with fellow fighters and supporters, holds clean-up campaigns in polluted areas in our region throughout the year. 'Because every piece of litter picked up, brings us one step closer to a cleaner place,' says Plastic Guerrilla warrior Bram. 'It is so nice to see new fighters signing up with every action. From town to village, young and old, all determined to fight for our common cause.'

Education and future fighters

Thus, The Plastic Guerrilla continues to grow into a force that is unstoppable. Apart from the clean-up campaigns, the environmental group also educates in schools and participates in school projects on the importance of a clean living environment. In this way, young warriors are also encouraged to change the world.

Join The Plastic Geurrilla

Take action too and join The Plastic Guerrilla! Don't be a spectator, but a participant in the fight against litter. Then children and grandchildren can grow up in an environment that is clean and healthy. Wondering when the next plastic guerrilla will take place and how you can join in? Follow DPG on Facebook or see plasticgeurrilla.co.uk.

This is how we are moving together towards a clean environment and waste-free future.

• Intro text: Today begins spring, time to make your outfits lighter and airier. Get rid of those thick jumpers and hello clothes that suit spring. But how do you do that in an eco-friendly way? We offer some tips. 

Today begins spring, time to make your outfits lighter and airier. Get rid of those thick jumpers and hello clothes that suit spring. But how do you do that in an eco-friendly way? 

Manufacturing new clothes is super bad for the environment because of all the water and chemicals it takes. That is why it is important to reuse your clothes as much as possible. Here are some tips: 

• Make your own clothes and accessoriesSewing and knitting are totally back. By making your own scarves and jumpers, you don't have to buy new ones ánd it's super fun to do.
• Pimp old clothesMake your old jumpers and t-shirts trendy again by decorating them with ecological clothing paint or iron-on patches. This will make them trendy again.
• Go for second-hand Check second-hand clothes shops or browse online for cool vintage clothes. It's not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet. Win-win! 
• Donate old clothes If you can't or no longer want to wear your clothes, give them to a second-hand shop. You can also dispose of your old clothes in a sealed bag in the textile container. Even broken clothes and worn-out shoes can be disposed of in the textile container. These can also be recycled. Dirty or wet clothing, with e.g. oil or paint on it, belongs in the residual waste. For more information on what belongs in the textile container, go to waardlanden.nl/textiles.

Whether you make your own clothes or buy second-hand, together we make the world a little greener and more stylish! 💚 

• Intro text: Handle the environmental card carefully and do not give others a chance to misuse it. A person who misuses the environmental card is liable to punishment. Have you lost your pass or suspect fraud? Then report it and apply for a new pass. We will block your old pass immediately.

The environmental passes comply with the national standard for waste passes and registration systems, STOSAG. Unfortunately, misuse remains possible. It is therefore important that you make sure your environmental card does not end up in the wrong hands. You don't just hand over your house key or PIN card either. So handle your environmental card carefully and don't give others the chance to misuse it. Someone who misuses the environmental card is punishable by law.

Have you lost your pass or suspect fraud? Then report it and apply for a new pass. We will block your old pass immediately. Visit contact on our customer contact centre: 0183 68 11 11. We will be happy to help you.

• Intro text: A chance encounter led to the formation of The Lekprikkers. One of the initiators of this enthusiastic group of litter pickers is Rob de Wit from Ameide.

It was a chance encounter that led to the formation of De Lekprikkers. One of the initiators of this enthusiastic group of litter pickers is Rob de Wit from Ameide. After his retirement, Rob decided to volunteer. 'During my long walks in the outskirts of Ameide, I noticed how much litter there was everywhere, especially a lot of plastic. It annoyed me. Not only did it give a messy look, but it is also harmful to nature.' During a walk, Rob met someone who was busy cleaning up litter. What followed was an inspiring conversation in which they shared the same ideas. This meeting led to the formation of De Lekprikkers, a group dedicated to a beautiful and clean area near Ameide and Tienhoven on the Lek.

Cosy and fun volunteering

'We did not want to make volunteering too formal, but rather keep it cosy and fun,' says Rob. 'We asked well-known walking enthusiasts if they wanted to bring a grabber. We also placed an interview in the local newspaper, to which many responses came in.'
As the number of volunteers grew, organisation became important. 'We decided that each volunteer would be responsible for a fixed area. That way, we could make our living environment free of litter. Over time, the number of club members grew, and we were able to expand our area of operation.'
'During the national clean-up days, we involve both primary schools in our action. We work well with the municipality and especially with Waardlanden for practical support to, for example, place bins and provide supplies such as grabbers, bin bags and vests.'

Noticeable result

'There are now more than 40 active volunteers in the area near Ameide and Tienhoven on the Lek,' says Rob. 'Some go out alone, others in groups. Everyone chooses their own time of day. If it rains, they just postpone the clean-up action for a while. As long as the work gets done in the end. Once every 3 or 4 weeks is enough.'

The results of the efforts are noticeable, with litter pickers sometimes finding little litter during their clean-up rounds. 'Still, cigarette butts remain a problem. These are harmful to the environment because the pollutants take a long time to break down. However, the number of plastic bottles has decreased. This is probably due to the deposit system,' Rob thinks.
Although The Lekprikkers have achieved a lot, Rob is concerned about pollution along the riverbank, which is mainly caused by ships and tourists. There are also successes: One pricker found many wrappers that are very harmful to the environment. He contacted the producer. Now wrappers are used that are much less harmful to the environment.

Together responsible for nature

'It is not only the government's turn to reduce environmental pollution. This also requires our own efforts. It gives me satisfaction to contribute to this. And this feeling is shared by all Lekkerprikkers. We all feel responsibility for nature. Together we can make our world a little cleaner and more beautiful.'

• Intro text: In the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden, many people pick up litter. We are proud and grateful for all the work these litter pickers do in the region. That is why we put some zappers in the spotlight in a special video.

In the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden, many people pick up litter. Some pick up alone and others in groups, such as The Lekprikkers.

Everyone has their own reason for picking up litter. But what litter pickers have in common is concern for nature, the earth and the future of children and grandchildren. Because it is becoming increasingly clear how harmful litter is. We are proud and grateful for all the work that all these litter pickers carry out in the region.

That is why we put some zappers in the spotlight in a special video. Meet Alex, who was shocked by the amount of litter during his diving adventures in Curaçao. And meet Nel who collects litter together with Sustainable Ameide on land, but also along and on the water. And Huig who was challenged in yet another way. Inspiring stories that also motivate others to continue collecting litter or to get involved.