- Intro text: Did you know that all electrical appliances (with and without batteries), loose batteries and accumulators should always be returned separately? Help out and deliver your electrical waste, batteries and accumulators separately!
Read more: Electrical waste, battery or accumulator? Do it separately!
- Intro text: Summer is here. Time for sunshine, being outside a lot and enjoying nature. During the holiday season, we often pull out all kinds of summer stuff or buy it new. Find out how to reuse, borrow or buy more consciously to make summer just as fun, but much more sustainable!
Read more: Using summer stuff sustainably: tips for reusing, borrowing and buying
- Intro text: A coat with a broken zip. A lamp that suddenly stops working. A toaster with kinks. Recognisable? See if you can fix it first! We list a few useful websites for you.
A zip that no longer closes. An electrical appliance that stops working. A button that sticks. Or a loose chair leg. Annoying - but no reason to throw something away straight away. Because did you know that many things simply work again after a small repair?
Often the problem is small. A loose wire. A clogged filter. A part that is easy to replace. By repairing, you extend the life of your stuff. That is good for the environment and for your wallet. You avoid waste, save raw materials and save money. And the great thing is: you don't have to do it alone.
Repairing is easier than you think
There are many useful websites and places where you can get help. Think clear roadmaps, explainer videos or help from others with experience.
We list a few useful websites for you:
Getting started yourself with iFixit
On iFixit.com, you will find thousands of free tutorials with clear pictures. From coffee machines to laptops, you will see step by step how to fix something.
Help and learn from others on JaFix
On JaFix.com/en, you can ask a question or just give tips to others yourself. This way, we help each other to use stuff for longer.
Replace the part, not the device
Do you have a broken part? Retrieved from FixPart.co.uk you will quickly find a replacement part for thousands of appliances. That way, you don't have to get rid of everything, but only what is really broken.
Watch a repair video on YouTube
Search YouTube for the make, model and the word "repair". You will often then find a handy video explaining the process. Useful if you prefer watching to reading - and want to follow it at your own pace.
Visit a repair café
Prefer help from an expert? At a repair café near you, you can have broken items repaired by handy volunteers. Check out waardlanden.nl/repaircafes Where the nearest repair café is.
Small effort, big difference
Whether you repair yourself or get help from a volunteer, every repair counts. You save waste, learn something new and do something good for the world around you. So: does something break? See if you can fix it first. Chances are you can - and that feels good.
- Intro text: Did you know that not all glass belongs in the bottle bank? Many people are unsure where to dispose of their glass waste. Especially with broken drinking glasses, vases or teacups. We explain what should and should not go in the bottle bank, and why separating glass properly is so important.
Glass is one of the most recycled materials in the world. But did you know that not all glass can just go in the bottle bank? Many people are unsure about where to put their waste glass. Especially when it comes to broken glasses, vases or teacups. We are happy to explain what does and does not belong in the bottle bank and why separating glass is so important.
Why good separation is important
Glass looks similar, but not everything belongs in the bottle bank. If the wrong type of glass ends up in the bottle bank, it can cause recycling problems. For example, vases and drinking glasses have a different melting temperature than container glass and can interfere with the production of new glass containers. By separating properly, we ensure that glass can be reused more efficiently and contribute to a more sustainable world.
What is allowed in the bottle bank?
The bottle bank is for packaging glass, such as:
- Jam jars
- Pots of vegetables or fruit
- Spaghetti sauce bottles or jars
- Olive oil bottles
- Mayonnaise jars
- Sambal pots
- Spice jars
- Transparent glass cream jars
- Glass yoghurt pots
- Baby food jars made of glass
- Wine bottles
- Beer bottles without deposit
- Liquor bottles (note: no stone jars)
- Bottles of fruit juices, syrup and thick juice (made of glass)
Good to know: Packaging glass should be empty, but does not have to be clean. So you do not need to rinse bottles and jars. Caps and lids can also be left on.
What should not go in the bottle bank?
Not all glass has the same composition. Some types of glass have a different melting temperature and can interfere with recycling. This glass does not belong in the bottle bank:
- Vases and bowls
- Broken drinking glasses, wine glasses and teacups
- Heat-resistant glass, such as oven dishes and tea glasses
- Tableware
- Flat glass, such as a picture frame or pane of glass
- Mirrors
This glass belongs to residual waste, as it cannot be properly recycled at the glass factory.
Mirrors and flat glass
Broken or old mirrors, car windows, window glass and other flat glass are not suitable for the ordinary bottle bank. You can take this type of glass to the environmental street bring. Special containers for recycling flat glass are located there.
If you are in doubt, here's how to make the right choice!
In doubt about whether something should go in the bottle bank? Then ask yourself these questions: Is it packaging glass? Then it is allowed in the bottle bank. Is it not packaging glass and a type of glass other than a mirror or plate glass? Then it belongs in the residual waste.
Every piece of glass in the right place makes a difference. Together, we ensure less waste and a cleaner living environment.
- Intro text: A clean and properly emptied container prevents a lot of hassle. Waste can sometimes stick or smell, especially in the GFT container. With a few simple habits, you can prevent a lot of inconvenience.
Waste can sometimes stick or get stuck in the container. This can happen in any container, but with the VGF container it is just a bit more common. VGF waste is often wet and sticky. As a result, it can stick to the walls, smell faster or attract vermin.
Fortunately, you can do a lot yourself to prevent this. With a few simple habits, you can keep your container fresh and ensure that it can be emptied properly. This keeps your container pleasant to use all year round, in every season.
Tip 1: Start with dry soil
Put a page of old newspaper or some sawdust at the bottom of the GFT container. This absorbs moisture and prevents waste from sticking. The bin stays cleaner and is easier to clean. The paper or straw absorbs moisture and helps prevent unpleasant odours.
Tip 2. Put your container in a cool place
Heat and moisture make waste stick faster. Put your GFT container in the coolest possible place, preferably in the shade. Especially during hot weather. In full sunlight, waste will brew faster. Heat speeds up composting and attracts flies and maggots. By keeping the bin as cool as possible, you reduce the risk of odours and pests.
Tip 3: Keep waste as dry as possible
Moisture is often the cause of unpleasant odours and caking.
- Drain wet food waste well before throwing it in the kitchen waste container
- Let freshly cut grass dry for a day before throwing it in the kitchen waste container.
- Alternate wet waste with dry material, such as leaves
Tip 4: Pack food waste properly
Flies love meat, fish and fruit scraps.
- Wrap perishable food waste in newspaper
- Collect your kitchen waste in special compostable VGF waste bags with the seedling logo or OK compost logo. Only these bags are allowed in VGF waste.
Tip 5: Freeze perishable leftovers until collection day
Troubled by odour or pests? Keep meat and fish waste in the freezer until collection day. Throw it frozen in the container just before you take it to the street. That way it won't rot and attract pests.
Tip 6: Ventilate or seal just right
Choose what suits your situation:
- A little ventilation helps against smells. Put the lid ajar with a twig to let warm air escape.
- Are you especially bothered by flies or maggots? Then keep the lid tightly closed.
There are also special lids with a filter that block odours but still ventilate.
Tip 7. Don't press waste
When emptying, compacted waste is more difficult to detach. This applies to all containers, but in the case of VGF waste, you notice it most quickly because wet waste clumps together.
- Do not press waste, however tempting that may be to save space.
- And always make large materials small, so nothing gets stuck.
Tip 8. Unplug waste
Waste gets stuck faster than you think. Especially if it is damp or has been in the bin for a while. Before emptying, gently poke it loose with a stick or shovel. This will prevent anything being left behind.
Tip 9: Use natural remedies against pests
Natural remedies can help:
- Climbing plant (Hedera) stops maggots
- Some fresh lavender also helps reduce odours.
Place a few sprigs in the container for extra protection.
Tip 10: Clean the container regularly
A clean container prevents a lot of inconvenience.
- Clean the container regularly with water
- Use a little green soap if necessary
- Do not use aggressive cleaning agents such as chlorine, which are harmful to the environment.
Tip 11: Empty before departure
Going on holiday? Be careful what you put in the container. Don't just throw rubbish together to "fill up" the container just yet. Separate it well, even just before leaving. This way, raw materials stay clean and we can reuse them. This will also prevent your container from being left on collection day, as soiled containers will not be emptied.
Not at home on collection day? Ask a neighbour or acquaintance to take out your container and - just as importantly - to collect it again. A small effort, great convenience.
Are you helping?
With a few small actions, you can make a big difference. Together, we will make sure that containers can be emptied properly and your waste processed neatly.
- Intro text: During May Plastic-Free, we give extra thought to our daily choices. Daily shopping is a perfect starting point to produce less waste. By shopping smartly and consciously, you avoid unnecessary waste and help the environment. Use these tips to reduce the amount of packaging in your shopping basket.
During May Plastic-Free, we give extra thought to our daily choices. Daily shopping is a perfect starting point to produce less waste. By shopping smartly and consciously, you avoid unnecessary waste and help the environment. Use these tips to reduce the amount of packaging in your shopping basket.
1. Start with a shopping list
A simple list prevents impulse purchases and helps you buy exactly what you need. This not only saves money, but also prevents food and packaging waste. So you buy more consciously and throw away less.
2. Bring your own bags
Plastic bags? Those really are a thing of the past. Make sure you always have a reusable bag with you. In your car, pannier or folded up in your jacket pocket. That way you will never have to buy a plastic bag again.
3. Buy in bulk
You can buy many products with less packaging if you buy them in larger quantities. Think of rice, pasta, nuts or cereals. Larger packs are often cheaper than several small packs. Not only does it save money, but it is also better for the environment.
4. Opt for loose fruit and vegetables
Opt for unpacked fruit and vegetables. Many supermarkets and markets already do this very well. Or use a reusable fruit and vegetable bag.
5. Pay attention to the packaging
When making your purchases, look out for sustainable alternatives. For example, choose products in glass jars with a deposit or reusable boxes. More and more brands are switching to eco-friendly packaging.
6. Plan your meals smartly
Meal planning not only helps you shop more efficiently, but also prevents you from throwing food away. Plan your meals and see what you have left in the house. By planning, you know exactly when you will use which product. This way, you won't have to throw away food as often.
7. Opt for home cooking instead of ready-made meals
Prepacked meals often contain a lot of plastic. By cooking your own with fresh ingredients, you reduce waste and eat healthier. Cook extra and freeze the rest, this is convenient and good for the environment.
8. Buy local
Buy local and support shops or markets that value sustainability. These shops sell products with less packaging. This way, you help the environment and reduce waste.
Every reusable bag, every conscious choice and every meal without plastic counts. Together, we are taking steps towards a plastic-free future.
- Intro text: After an enjoyable Easter weekend, there is often plenty left over: a boiled egg, a slice of stollen, salad or some bread. Don't throw it away but turn it into something new. Give Easter leftovers a second life!
Easter is often about being together AND eating together. A richly filled breakfast table, boiled eggs, baked rolls, a festive stollen, salad, dips and maybe even a piece of cake. Delicious, of course! But after the weekend, some leftovers are often left over. And that's not a bad thing at all - if you know what to do with them.
Turn leftovers into a party
There is no need to throw them away, as often you can still make something surprisingly tasty out of them. Do not throw away leftovers. With a few leftovers, you can make a new lunch for yourself or the whole family the next day. Put them nicely on a plate and you have a kind of mini tasting. Think boiled egg, a slice of stollen, leftover salad, some fruit, half a croissant. Very tasty and you avoid waste.
You can still do this with leftovers
Boiled eggs:
- Boiled eggs will stay good for another week in the fridge.
- Turn it into a simple egg salad (with a little yoghurt or mayo, mustard and chives)
- Cut into wedges and add to a green salad or nasi
- Use them in a salad or wrap.
Bread:
- Make sandwiches or French toast from stale white bread
- Slice baguette, drizzle with oil and make crostini in oven
- Spread with tomato sauce, cheese and vegetables for quick mini pizzas
- Old croissants? Cut into pieces and make a sweet bread pudding with milk, egg and sultanas
- Even baked rolls can be made crisp again with a little water and a few minutes in the oven.
Easter cake over:
- Slice these and freeze them. That way you can enjoy them again later.
- Make French toast from stollen - festive and surprisingly tasty
- Use in a trifle with yoghurt and red fruit
Cheese, cold cuts or spreads:
- Make a 'leftover toast': top slices of bread with leftover cheese, tomato or cold cuts, grill briefly in the oven
- Mix leftover herb cream cheese or hummus through pasta as a sauce
- Make puff pastry snacks with leftovers: ideal for freezing for later
Fruit and vegetables:
- Make a soup from leftover carrots, leeks or peppers
- Blend fruit into a smoothie or bake small muffins with apple or pear pieces
- Incorporate vegetable scraps into a savoury tart or omelette
Dates or dried fruit:
- Fill dates with cream cheese or peanut butter and a little cinnamon - perfect snack
- Chop dates and mix through couscous or a salad with goat cheese
- Process into banana bread, couscous, muffins or energy bars
Small effort, big difference
By using leftovers consciously, you avoid waste and enjoy yourself twice over. So check what you have left before you throw anything away. That way you really get the most out of the holidays - even afterwards.
- Intro text: King's Day is the time to look for gems at the flea market, or to clear out the attic and give things a second life. Good for space at home and for the environment. Because what you no longer need may be just what someone else is looking for.
King's Day is the time to look for gems at the flea market, or to clear out the attic and give things a second life. Good for space at home and for the environment. Because what you no longer need may be just what someone else is looking for.
Pass on stuff
Have you cleaned up recently and collected items you no longer use? Put them for sale at the free market on King's Day. This way, you will give them a second chance and make someone else happy. Are there any items left over? Then take them to a charity shop or give them away. There is no need to throw things away if they are still usable.
Buy second-hand
The free market is the place to find something special for a small price. From children's toys and books to kitchen utensils and vintage clothes. Second-hand shopping is not only sustainable, but also fun and surprising.
Smart partying = less waste
A little preparation makes all the difference. Bring a sturdy bag when you go out, and use a reusable cup or bottle during the party. Choose snacks without unnecessary packaging or bring your own treats in a lunch box. These are small habits with a big effect.
Set a good example
Children watch. By buying, selling and handling waste sustainably, you show that a party can also be done responsibly. And maybe next year they will go out themselves with a rug full of toys that will make someone else happy.
Together we make King's Day greener
Whether you are browsing the market in the morning or going to an orange party with friends in the afternoon: you are making a difference. Celebrate, leave no mess and think of tomorrow. Together, we will make King's Day not only an orange, but also a greener celebration.
- Intro text: Disposing of garden waste properly seems simple, but sometimes things still go wrong. This causes problems in both collection and processing. By disposing of garden waste correctly, together we keep our raw materials clean.
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:
-
Broken ceramic and stone flower pots
-
Hydro grains
-
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.
- Intro text: Scouring pads: handy, right? But did you know they are harmful to the environment? Discover sustainable alternatives that work just as well and are better for nature.
You probably know them: scouring pads made of plastic foam. They are in almost every kitchen and are very handy. But did you know that these sponges are bad for the environment? Fortunately, there are sustainable alternatives that work just as well and are better for nature.
Scouring pads made of plastic foam are usually made of polyurethane. This material does not break down in nature. During cleaning, small pieces of plastic wear off all the time. These pieces, also called microplastics, wash away with the water. Via wastewater, they enter rivers, oceans and eventually the food chain.
Sponges do not last long. They wear out quickly and you have to replace them often. This creates a lot of waste. So choose a sustainable alternative.
1. Luffa sponges
Use a luffa sponge. This sponge is made of plant fibres. Luffa sponges are 100% natural and compostable. They contain no chemicals and are sturdy and perfect for scrubbing away caked-on residue. In addition, they are soft enough for delicate surfaces such as glass, pans and tiles. And they last longer than plastic scouring pads. A perfect alternative to plastic foam scouring pads.
2. Coconut fibre sponges
Try a coconut fibre sponge, made from the fibres of coconuts. They are biodegradable and very strong: ideal for heavily soiled surfaces, such as caked-on pans.
3. Wooden washing-up brushes
Choose a wooden dishwashing brush with natural bristles, without microplastics. Super durable because when the brush head wears out, you can replace it. The handle will last for years.
Make a difference
By switching to a sustainable alternative to scouring pads, you help reduce the amount of microplastics in the environment. And make cleaning a little greener. It's a small change in your daily habit, but one that makes a big difference to the planet. In this way, we are moving together towards a clean environment and waste-free future.
