- Intro text: The lights are on, the Christmas tree sparkles... but what if a bauble breaks or the lights stop working? Don't panic! Discover our handy tips for separating Christmas waste smartly and sustainably.
The holiday season is just around the corner! It is the time of cosiness and beautifully decorated houses. Will you also decorate your home in Christmas spirit? As you pull out the beautiful Christmas decorations, it can just happen that a bauble falls or the Christmas lights stop working. No worries! We will help you with tips on where best to dispose of this and other Christmas waste, so you can celebrate the festive season without worries.
1. Broken baubles
Your first thought of a broken bauble might be the bottle bank, but that's not true. Broken baubles have a different melting point to packaging glass. That is why they belong in the residual waste. Separating glass can sometimes be tricky, because did you know, for example, that broken (wine) glasses and oven dishes should not go in the bottle bank either? These also belong in residual waste. We have a handy overview for you to see which glass is allowed where. Still in doubt? Then use our handy separation guide to see what you throw away where.
2. Broken Christmas lights
Christmas lights are electronic waste and can be properly recycled. Hand it in at special drop-off bins in shops, such as DIY or electronics shops. Or take it to the recycling centre using your environmental card. Many shops also take old bulbs in when buying new ones. This way, they stay out of residual waste and everything is recycled properly.
3. Net around Christmas tree
Are you bringing a real Christmas tree into your home? There is often a net around it for easy transport of the Christmas tree. The net may be made of plastic, but it has to go with the residual waste. Why? Because otherwise the net gets stuck in the sorting installation. Other waste also gets stuck in the nets.
4. Carcass of a turkey
Are you going to enjoy a delicious turkey? You can throw that carcass in the GFT container. This is because it falls under vegetable, fruit and garden waste. This way, you are helping to create a better environment!
5. Oasis (floral foam)
Are you getting rid of your Christmas arrangement after Christmas? Oasis, also known as floral foam, is made of a type of plastic and has to go in the residual waste. So it cannot be disposed of with vegetable, fruit and garden waste. Real twigs from Christmas trees, for example, can go in the organic waste.
6. Wrapping paper
What to do with wrapping paper? If you can tear it, you can throw it away with the paper. Can't tear it? Then it is not paper and you throw it in the residual waste.
7. Candles
You can reuse stubs and leftover candle wax to make new candles. You can also return old candles to the charity shop. Do you no longer use them? Then throw them away with your residual waste.
8. Tubs of tea light
Have you been burning tea lights? Dispose of the tub as empty as possible with your plastic packaging, metal packaging (tin) and drinks packaging (pmd)*.
These tips will ensure that your holidays are not only cosy, but also sustainable. Happy holidays!
* Note: How you dispose of pmd depends on where you lives. Residents of high-rise and low-rise houses without a pmd container may dispose of pmd and residual waste together in a collection container for residual waste in the neighbourhood. This waste is collected separately and later sorted by machines.
- Intro text: Is your paper container full and you don't know where to take the paper? No worries! Find out what you can do here.
Is your paper container completely full? Don't worry, there are plenty of ways to dispose of your waste paper and cardboard properly. In this article, we give useful tips as well as explain how you can help make paper collection run smoothly.
5 tips to properly dispose of your waste paper and cardboard
A full paper container can be annoying. You want to dispose of your paper and cardboard neatly, but what can you do when your container is full? Make use of these handy tips and make sure your paper ends up in the right place.
1. Make smart use of space
Do you have large cardboard boxes? Flatten them well and make them small before putting them in the container. This will fit in a lot more, and prevent the container from filling up quickly.
2. Take paper and cardboard to a nearby collection container
There are collection containers for paper and cardboard in the neighbourhood. These are often located near shopping centres, flats or housing estates. Here you can dispose of your paper and cardboard free of charge. This is useful when your own container is full.
3. Apply for an additional paper container
Do you often have more paper and cardboard than will fit in your container? No problem. Then you can get an extra 240-litre paper container for free applications.
4. Take paper and cardboard to the waste disposal site
You can also bring paper and cardboard to the environmental centre free of charge. Don't forget to bring your environmental card.
5. Make arrangements with your neighbours
On the day the paper containers are emptied, you can dispose of the paper in your neighbour's container, if there is still space there. Always discuss this with your neighbours beforehand. Make sure you make everything small and put it neatly in the container. This keeps the neighbourhood tidy and neat!
Together we keep the neighbourhood clean
Do not put paper or cardboard next to the collection container. Apart from the high clean-up costs for this offence, it also causes litter in the neighbourhood. Paper quickly gets wet and dirty or blows through the neighbourhood like litter. By returning paper and cardboard in the right way, together we keep the neighbourhood tidy and clean.
- Intro text: After a fun Sinterklaas evening, what do you do with all that wrapping paper? Not everything can just go with the waste paper. We share some smart tips on how to dispose of the paper in a sustainable way and reuse it.
After a successful gift night, the floor is full of wrapping paper. Before you take everything to the paper bin, it is a good idea to think about what can really be recycled. After all, not all wrapping paper belongs in the waste paper bin. We share some smart tips on how to dispose of paper in a sustainable way - and even some ideas on how to reuse it.
Recognise recyclable paper with the "tear test"
A simple way to check whether gift paper is recyclable is the "tear test." Try tearing the paper: if it tears properly, it may go in the paper bin. Paper types such as one-sided laminated paper or more luxurious wrapping paper with a slight glossy coating (e.g. an aluminium-like coating) can also go in the waste paper bin. Can't you tear the paper? Then it belongs in the residual waste. This also applies to wrapping film, which should always go in the residual waste.
Give wrapping paper a second life
Instead of throwing the paper away immediately, you can save the best pieces and reuse them. Here are a few creative ways to give paper a second life:Wrapping presents again: The sturdier pieces of gift paper can be saved for future gifts. By folding pretty papers neatly, you will have instant material for the next birthday or party.Crafts with children: Use leftover paper for craft projects. Make collages, decorate cards, or cut out shapes for Christmas decorations. This gives the paper a second chance AND it's fun to do together.Making your own decoration: You can easily make decorations such as flags, stars, or paper flowers from gift paper. Perfect for keeping the festive atmosphere in your home for longer.
Wrapping presents differently
Want to wrap gifts in an even greener way? Then consider a wrapping cloth, such as a nice piece of fabric or a scarf. No need to use disposable material. A wrapping cloth is ideal for all kinds of gift sizes, can be used over and over again and gives your gift a beautiful luxurious look. It gives wrapping an extra personal touch and contributes to reducing waste.
Recycled and raw gift paper, or even cloth wrapping cloths, are sustainable alternatives that make Sinterklaas, and other celebrations, even more eco-friendly. With these tips, you'll ensure that clearing out your gift-wrapping is fun and eco-friendly. Happy holidays!
- Intro text: Black Friday is the time to buy new products. But what do you do with all the packaging material and cardboard? Instead of throwing it away, you can reuse it in a smart and sustainable way. This way, you help the environment as well as giving the material a second life.
Black Friday is the time for many people to buy new products cheaply. Did you buy something new because you couldn't borrow it or find it second-hand? Then chances are that it came with a lot of packaging and cardboard. Instead of throwing it away, you can reuse it smartly and sustainably. This way, you help the environment as well as giving packaging a second life. After Black Friday, use these tips to deal with your packaging in an easy and responsible way.
1. Re-use it for your own shipments
Need to send something yourself, such as a gift or a return shipment? Many packaging materials, such as air cushions, bubble wrap and cardboard, can be reused. This will not only save you money, but also reduce waste.
2. What belongs where? Recycle it properly
What belongs where? Many packaging materials such as paper, cardboard, bubble wrap and polystyrene can be recycled. Therefore, make sure you dispose of the materials separately and in the right bin.
Paper
If you can tear paper then it can go with the paper. Can't? Then it should go with the residual waste.
Cardboard boxes
Cardboard boxes belong in the waste paper. Make them flat and small, then more will fit in the container.
Styrofoam
Put small pieces of Styrofoam in the residual waste. Do you have larger pieces? Then take them to the waste disposal site with your environmental pass.
Air-cushion bags and bubble wrap
Air cushions and bubble wrap are allowed with your plastic packaging, metal packaging and beverage containers (pmd*).
3. Turn it into something new
Give packaging materials a second life. Bubble wrap, for example, is perfect for craft projects with children or to keep fragile items safe. Use cardboard to make storage boxes or creative decorations. Please note that as soon as craft materials are painted, glued or combined with other materials, they cannot be recycled. Even if you segregate waste carefully, painted or glued craft materials should go with the residual waste. So try techniques that require little or no glue, such as folding or attaching with string. Choose unpainted cardboard, recycled paper or fabrics that can be reused. If you need glue, choose durable glue.
4. Ask for less packaging material
Did you know that many online shops allow you to specify that you want to receive less packaging? Or maybe you can collect your order locally, so packaging material is not needed at all. It's always good to ask shops about their packaging policy, especially during busy periods like Sinterklaas, Christmas and Black Friday.
*Do you live in a high-rise or low-rise building without a pmd container? Then throw away pmd and residual waste together in a collection container for residual waste in the neighbourhood. This waste is collected separately and later sorted by machines.
- Intro text: Falling temperatures and night frosts can cause waste to freeze in your container, especially VGF waste. This can prevent your container from being fully emptied. We have 10 tips to prevent freezing.
As temperatures drop and it freezes severely at night, waste can freeze in your container. This is a particular risk with VGF waste. The waste then does not fall out of your container, or only partially, when we tip it over above the trolley. Coming back is impossible and also pointless, because the container remains frozen. This is annoying, especially if the container is already quite full. Therefore, check that the flap is not frozen and poke some loose waste yourself before offering the container.
10 tips to avoid a frozen valve or frozen waste
- In case of frost, hold the lid of your container slightly open with a stick or piece of cardboard.
- Smear some Vaseline on the rim of your container. This will prevent the lid from freezing.
- Put the container in a sheltered place during frost.
- Put newspaper or a layer of sawdust underneath in container.
- Leaf litter has a lot of moisture. During the time of frost, throw as little leaf and garden waste as possible into the container or do so only just before you want it emptied.
- Put the waste in the container as dry as possible.
- Mix GFT waste that is very wet with drier GFT waste.
- Loosen frozen waste on the inside of the container before putting it on the road.
- Do not push/stomp the waste too hard, otherwise the waste will freeze together.
- Only put your container on the street before 7.30 in the morning.
If you still have room in the container, you can also choose not to offer the container again until the next time.
- Intro text: Celebrating Sinterklaas sustainably? You can! Find out how to make a surprisingly beautiful and eco-friendly surprise with simple, recycled materials.
The Sinterklaas party is not complete without surprises! But did you know that it is not at all necessary to buy new stuff to make a fantastic surprise? With a few smart, sustainable tips, you can make an original surprise that not only steals the show, but is also good for the environment.
1. Use what is there
A sustainable surprise starts by reusing items that are already in the house. Think of cardboard boxes, toilet rolls, magazines, newspapers or empty bottles with no deposit. With a little creativity, you can turn these into the most beautiful surprises. A cardboard box, for example, can easily be transformed into a car, robot or house. Also ask family and friends if they have any spare presents. This way, you don't have to buy anything new and you can give things a second life.
2. Choose recycled craft materials
Do you still need new craft materials? Then choose recycled or reusable materials. For example, recycled paper, cardboard or biodegradable glue. Avoid plastic, polystyrene or tape. And do you need plastic? Then see if you can reuse something, such as an old plastic bottle with no deposit or container.
3. Make divorce simple
A surprise is often a combination of different materials. Make your surprise so that the materials can be easily separated and recycled after unpacking. Many craft materials are recyclable, such as paper and cardboard. But, once they are dyed, glued or combined with other materials, they cannot be recycled. This means that even if you separate waste carefully, dyed or glued crafts have to go with the residual waste. Therefore, try to use techniques that require little or no glue, such as folding or attaching with string. Choose unpainted cardboard, recycled paper or fabrics that can be reused. If you need glue, choose reusable or biodegradable options.
4. Packing without waste
Wrapping the surprise can also be sustainable. Use old newspapers, magazines or scraps of fabric to wrap the surprise. This often looks even more creative than standard wrapping paper. Don't have old paper or fabric at home? Then buy wrapping paper made from recycled material, or use a fabric or jute bag that you can use over and over again.
5. Make the surprise reusable
When making a surprise, also think about what the recipient can still do with it. For example, make a surprise that can be used as a storage box, decoration or toy after St Nicholas.
A sustainable surprise is a gift for the future
By consciously choosing sustainable materials, you will make Sinterklaas a party that is not only fun, but also environmentally friendly. Have fun crafting!
- Intro text: A real Christmas tree creates a cosy warm atmosphere and is therefore the symbol of the festive season for many people. Yet there are plenty of other options that are just as attractive as a real Christmas tree.
Buying a real Christmas tree, bringing it into the house and putting it up has been a long-standing tradition for many people. A Christmas tree creates a cosy warm atmosphere and is the symbol of the festive season for many people. Yet there are plenty of other options that are just as attractive as a real Christmas tree.
Traditional Christmas trees usually come from conifers. These trees take many years to grow and are often discarded after only a few weeks of use. Millions of trees are cut down for them every year worldwide, while trees are desperately needed in the fight against climate change. Also, transporting such a tree from the shop or grower to your home causes additional emissions of harmful gases. More sustainable alternatives can help reduce the environmental impact of Christmas trees.
Artificial Christmas tree
Artificial Christmas trees come in different sizes and styles. Pay attention to quality when buying. It is better to pay a little more for a good artificial Christmas tree that will last a long time. It is bad for the environment to have to buy a new tree after only a few years. Moreover, you will probably end up paying more. You buy a good artificial Christmas tree once and use it every year.
Second-hand artificial Christmas tree
It is even better to choose a second-hand artificial tree. Every year, many artificial Christmas trees are handed in at thrift shops in our region. They can usually be viewed and bought from mid-November onwards.
Wooden Christmas tree
More and more people are opting for a wooden Christmas tree. Wood is extremely recyclable. Therefore, wooden Christmas trees are less harmful to the environment than growing and felling traditional Christmas trees. The cost of a wooden Christmas tree may be slightly higher than for a real Christmas tree. But a wooden Christmas tree is reusable and will last for years. Of course, you can also decorate a wooden Christmas tree beautifully and always customise it to your liking.
Christmas tree on the wall
Do you have limited space or want something different? Bring the Christmas spirit into your home with a wall Christmas tree.
- There are special Christmas wall hangings for sale with razor-sharp photos as well as small LED lights. Beautiful, durable and also very atmospheric when the cosy lights are on.
- Or choose a wall sticker in the shape of a Christmas tree that you simply stick on your wall and remove without damage. Ideal in small homes.
- Using branches, cardboard, an LED light garland, fabrics or string, create the shape of a Christmas tree on the wall and decorate it with atmospheric LED lights and ornaments. Or choose a pretty Christmas wreath or other decorations instead of a traditional tree. Just as atmospheric and no tree needs to be cut down for it.
- Are you creative? Then make your own advent calendar by hanging envelopes with some goodies or a nice wish on the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Still prefer a real tree?
Do you still prefer a real Christmas tree at home? Then buy your Christmas tree within a maximum radius of 10 kilometres from your home, so you don't have to drive unnecessary distances. Choose a Christmas tree with a large root ball in a pot and give it plenty of water. Do not let the tree dry out, as this reduces its chances of survival and increases the risk of fire. If you take good care of the tree, you can plant it in your garden after the holidays and use it again next year.
Rent or adopt a Christmas tree
Don't have a garden or no space in your garden? Or would you rather not plant a Christmas tree in your garden after the holidays? In more and more places, you can rent or adopt a Christmas tree. These trees are grown in pots. About 90 per cent of the trees survive the rental period. This extends the life of the trees and reduces their harmful impact on the environment. Rental trees are rented out 3 to 5 times as Christmas trees. After the holidays, you return the tree and the grower replants your tree to take care of it for another year or replants it for life. Would you rather buy a tree without a root ball? There are growers who plant several new trees or adoptable Christmas trees in the forest for every Christmas tree sold without a root ball.
Christmas tree collection Waardlanden
This year too, Waardlanden is providing the collection of traditional Christmas trees. You will soon find more information about this on this website. Do you have a Christmas tree that will not go into your garden or back to the grower? Then always hand it in at an environmental street or at a collection point in your neighbourhood. Christmas trees are not waste and are recycled into compost and green gas. They are also shredded into ground cover in stables.
- Intro text: Most kitchen cupboards are often full of chemical and pricey cleaning products. Use these eco-friendly recipes to make your home shine.
- Intro text: Discover smart tips to celebrate Sinterklaas consciously and inexpensively this year. From giving experiences to sustainable wrapping: make Sinterklaas a party full of fun, without unnecessary packaging.
St Nicholas is coming again. A cosy time with presents. Unfortunately, this often also results in a lot of unnecessary packaging. We share some smart tips to celebrate Saint Nicholas more consciously and economically this year.
Tips for a smart Christmas season
By swapping smartly, reusing and thinking more sustainably, you will not only make Saint Nicholas more economical, but also better for the environment. Join in this year and make conscious choices that you will enjoy for a long time to come.
- Experiences instead of stuffThis year, give experiences as a gift, such as a fun day out. These are memories children will enjoy for years to come, without any extra stuff in the house.
- Make your own presents Still prefer to give something tangible? Handmade gifts are personal and valuable. Think about making something delicious or a creative project. This is not only cheaper, but also much more sustainable. You avoid packaging waste and save on the raw materials needed for new products. In this way, you are helping to create a better environment.
- Swapping toys instead of buying them Why buy new toys when you can exchange unused toys? Many homes still have perfectly good toys that are no longer being played with. Find a toy swap market near you, and swap for 'new' toys at no extra cost. This way, you will not only surprise the children, but also save money.
- Second-hand toys Not only swap markets, but also thrift shops, gift shops and online platforms, such as Marktplaats, offer plenty of choice in second-hand toys. You can often find toys there in excellent condition for a small fraction of the price. It's a win-win situation: less production of new stuff and more space in the wallet.
- Sustainable packing Wrapping paper often creates a lot of waste. Therefore, opt for more sustainable options such as a reusable wrapping sheet. This way, you can wrap your gifts sustainably time after time - without extra waste. You can also use a nice tea towel or a box that you reuse.
- Make a wish list Together with the children, make a list of what they really want. This will prevent premature purchases and allow for more targeted searching, so you spend less money.
- Buy less, but more consciously This year, choose quality over quantity. Go for a few valuable, durable items that will last for years.
- Intro text: Did you know that more than 40% of our residual waste consists of food waste, fruit, vegetable and garden waste? Good news! If you collect that GFT separately, much less residual waste remains. Good for the environment and your wallet. Discover useful tips and make a difference!
Waardlanden handles the collection of household waste and raw materials for the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden.
Waardlanden Cleansing Company provides services for collection, processing of industrial waste, slipperiness control and sweeping of industrial sites.