• Intro text: From 30 September to 11 October 2024, 461 pupils from five primary schools in Vijfheerenlanden will compete in the Textile Competition to collect as many textiles as possible and learn playfully about the impact of the garment industry and the importance of reuse and recycling.

From 30 September to 11 October 2024, 461 pupils from five primary schools in Vijfheerenlanden will compete in the Textile Competition. They will collect as many textiles as possible to help their school. In a playful way, they will learn about the impact of the garment industry on the environment and the importance of reusing and recycling for a circular economy.

Producing, using and disposing of textiles is  not good for the environment. It causes extra CO2 emissions, pollution of soil and water and a mountain of plastic. Many textiles remain unused in cupboards or attics or are thrown in the dustbin and then incinerated. This causes enormous waste of resources and pollution. It can be done differently.

Kick-off  of the Textile Competition

On Monday 30 September, councillor Ton van Maanen gave the official kick-off of the Textile Competition at Eben-Haëzer School in Leerbroek. From 30 September to 11 October, pupils from participating schools will collect textiles for their schools. These can be clothes, bedding, towels, curtains and even soft toys. Clean and dry textiles will be reused, and broken clothes will be recycled. As a result, discarded textiles are given a second life and do not become waste.

Remuneration and allowances

Last year, the winning school collected an impressive average of over 16 kilos of textiles per pupil. This year, we are going for a new record. Each kilo of textile collected earns the school €0.20. The amount that pupils collect for their school will be used by the school itself, such as a fun activity or as a donation to one of the many good (sustainable) causes in the region. The school that collects the most textiles per pupil receives a double payment and a delicious cake as an extra reward.

Award ceremony

Alderman Joop van Montfoort will host the award ceremony on 17 October at 10.00 am at the winning school.

Participating schools

The following litter-free schools are participating in the Textile Competition Vijfheerenlanden: CBS De Ontdekking in Hei- en Boeicop, Fundament in Nieuwland, Eben-Haëzerschool in Leerboek, and CBS Juliana in Leerdam and CBS De Rank from Meerkerk. 

Initiators

Opnieuw & Co and Waardlanden are organising this competition together with the Vijfheerenlanden municipality for the second time. The aim is to reduce residual waste, reuse raw materials and teach children about sustainability in a fun way.

• 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 a new edition of "Litter picker in the spotlight", we introduce Tim to you. Tim is 15 years old and helps keep his neighbourhood clean. "For a few years now, I have been making regular rounds through my neighbourhood to pick up litter," Tim says enthusiastically.

In this edition of "Litter picker in the spotlight", we introduce Tim to you. Tim is 15 years old and helps keep his neighbourhood clean. "For a few years now, I have been making regular rounds through my neighbourhood to pick up litter," Tim says enthusiastically.

Dream of becoming a rubbish collector

Tim has a big dream for the future: 'I would like to become a rubbish collector later and my dream job would be a workplace at Waardlanden. By picking up litter in my neighbourhood, I can already help Waardlanden a little and contribute to a cleaner environment.' Tim shows that you can make a difference at a young age.

'Just clean up your own mess!'

Tim is annoyed by people who just throw away their rubbish: 'I find it very careless of people to throw so much rubbish on the street. I would say to them: 'Just clean up your own mess!' He hopes people will pay better attention and throw their rubbish in the bin.

Deposits and a clean neighbourhood

Tim has found a clever way to earn a little extra: 'I keep the cans and bottles with deposit money separate. I return these to the shop. That way, I get something out of it too.' So Tim not only helps to keep the neighbourhood clean, he also earns a penny.

Help from Waardlanden

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. 'From Waardlanden, I received an extra-long waste grab. So now I can grab waste even better at ditches and bushes!' This allows Tim to do his job even better.

Tim's message to everyone

Tim has a clear message: 'I hope to continue this for a long time. But better would be if everyone just throws their rubbish in the bin.' Let's all follow his example and keep our environment clean.

Thank you, Tim, for your amazing efforts. You are a real hero in your neighbourhood!

• Intro text: From 9 to 15 September 2024 is Wastefree Week. Then, there will be a nationwide focus on waste-free cooking, buying and storing. Sign up for free tasty and educational activities that help prevent food waste.

From 9 to 15 September 2024 is Wastefree Week. This is when there will be a national focus on waste-free cooking, buying and storing. Together with ASVZ, Omnia College, Stichting Duurzaam Molenlanden and Syndion, we will organise free tasty and educational activities for residents that will help prevent food waste.

Why waste-free?

Together, we throw away too much food. We often buy more than we need, don't know how to use leftovers, or forget what is already in the house. This can be done differently. By being more conscious about food and managing your stock smartly, you will save money and help the environment. Together with our partners, we want residents to experience how delicious and versatile waste-free food can be.

You can register for the activities via this page. Be quick as the number of places is limited (maximum 2 people per registration). Full is full.

Free meals for residents

You can sign up for a free meal on site, made from leftovers and still good products that are often thrown away. Find out where and when you can eat a delicious waste-free meal for free.

Surprise lunch (Fully booked!)

You can no longer sign up for the surprise lunch, it is full. You can still sign up for the waste-free meal on 12 September.

When

September 11, 2024, 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Where

Restaurant "Teach Inn", W. de Vries Robbéweg 27, Gorinchem

What

Students from Omnia College's cookery course host a waste-free surprise lunch.  

Waste-free meal

When

12 September 2024, 17:45 - 19:30 (walk-in from 17:00)

Where

Servanda (The Ducdalf), Scheldt Street 1, Hardinxveld-Giessendam

What

Clients of ASVZ and Syndion serve a waste-free meal. There is room for 15 people.

Sign in

Free Fermentation Workshop (Fully booked!)

In the free Fermenting workshop on 18 September, participants will learn how to make healthy, tasty and new dishes themselves. Fermentation is an ancient technique that keeps food good for longer by adding bacteria or yeasts. This gives food a new taste and makes it last longer. Think, for example, of making yoghurt from milk or sauerkraut from cabbage. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to register for this workshop. 

Useful tips for home

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels. During Wastefree Week, and beyond, we will share useful tips against waste. Join us in Wastefree Week and take a step towards a waste-free future together!

• Intro text: In September, you can meet our environmental coaches Meet Ingrid and Nelleke and ask your questions at various locations around the region.

Meet our environmental coaches Ingrid and Nelleke! In September, you can meet our environmental coaches and ask your questions at various locations in the region as well as at our environmental centres.

Meet our environmental coaches

We cannot ignore it: the impact of waste on the environment and our society is huge. That is why we want to work with you to deal with waste in a more sustainable way. To do so, it is important that you reduce waste and sort and separate your waste as much as possible at home. How? We understand that separating waste can sometimes be quite difficult. That is why you will find here help and tips.

Agenda

• Intro text: Fancy a sporting challenge that is also good for nature? Then join Clean Up on Tour Gorinchem on Saturday 21 September!

Fancy a sporting challenge that is also good for nature? Then join Clean Up on Tour Gorinchem on Saturday 21 September! A special clean-up action, where participants remove litter from the canals and waters from a supboard, such as cans and plastic bags.

Litter in water is dangerous for everything that lives there. By participating in Clean Up on Tour, you can help reduce litter in the water and ensure cleaner and healthier water, for yourself and for future generations. Taking part is not only good for nature, but also great fun. You will learn to supper, have fun doing sports on the water and make the world a bit cleaner.

Not been on a SUP before?

That's no problem. You will first receive explanations, tips and advice from an experienced sup instructor for along the way. Then, under the guidance of the instructor, you will remove as much litter from the water as possible. Afterwards, the litter will be weighed and disposed of via the waste disposal site. Last year, the tour was a great success. At that time, 101.6 kilograms were removed from the canals and waters of Gorinchem. Will you join in to collect even more litter this year and set a new record?

Useful to know

• Anyone aged 18 and above can join for free.
• All the necessary equipment, such as sups, grabs and bags, is provided. 
• Wear clothes that are allowed to get wet. Provide an extra set of dry clothes and a towel. 
• Number of participants: maximum 16 people.

Programme

Clean up on Tour morning

Clean up on Tour afternoon

 Also contribute to a sustainable future and sign up for Clean Up on Tour in Gorinchem. 

Sign in

• 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: On Saturday, July 6, we will join Enjoycleaningup to trek through the four municipalities to clean up cigarette butts. Bits on the street and in the pit are super harmful to the environment and our health. You will help too, won't you?

Saturday, July 6, is PeukMeuk 2024, a major clean-up campaign of cigarette butts around the world. Butts on the streets and well are very bad for the environment and our health. Therefore, we call on everyone to join in and clean up our environment together.

What are we going to do?

On 6 July, we will join Enjoycleaningup in an RV to go through the four municipalities to clean up cigarette butts. Everyone is welcome to help. We will provide grabs and gloves, so there is no need for you to bring anything with you. We will put all the butts we pick up in a special transparent chair by artist Kees Dekkers. This chair shows how many cigarette butts are still on the street.

Fun activities

• Robotic dog: A smart robot dog helps find cigarette butts.
• Virtual reality: Children can use VR goggles to look underwater and see how much waste is in the ocean.
• Free pocket ashtray: Smokers will get a free pocket ashtray to put their cigarette butts in, to stop them ending up on the street.

Join us

Come to (one of) the four municipalities on 6 July and help us clean up cigarette butts. The programme is as follows:

• 09.30 - 10.30 am Grote Markt Gorinchem, in front of the museum entrance
• 11:00 - 12:00 shopping centre De Giessenhof Hardinxveld-Giessendam, between Albert Heijn and Primera
• 13.00 - 14.00 Kleyburgplein Nieuw-Lekkerland
• 15.00 - 16.00 market Leerdam

Ahead of PeukMeuk 2024: PeukMeuk pick-up evening in Hardinxveld-Giessendam

As a warm-up for PeukMeuk 2024, a few enthusiastic litter pickers are organising a PeukMeuk pick-up evening in Hardinxveld-Giessendam on Tuesday 2 July. Everyone is cordially invited to pick up as many cigarette butts as possible on this Tuesday evening at 19.30 at the Primera, Den Bogerd 30. Come and join the fun!

Together, let's ensure a cleaner and safer environment. Every cigarette butt we pick up counts.
Because cigarette butts on the street, that really can't be done anymore!

More information can be found on the campaign site: HeyViespeuk.co.uk.

• Intro text: Do you have inflatable items you can no longer use? Don't throw it away with the residual waste! From July to October, you can once again hand in your summer inflatables free of charge at our environmental centres using your environmental pass.

It's time again to enjoy the summer days at the beach, pool or a lake. But what do you do with those broken inflatable toys? From 1 July to 31 October, you can hand them in at our environmental centres for free recycling with your environmental pass. 

A second chance for broken inflatables

Last year, together we collected 1,500 kilos of broken inflatable gear. Let's continue this success and give those items a second chance this summer as well. By handing them in separately, they can be recycled into valuable raw materials for new products, such as garden hoses, shoe soles and more. 

Why hand in separately?

Broken inflatable objects often end up in the regular rubbish or bulky waste, but they are easy to recycle. So help and dispose of them for free in the special containers at our environmental centres during the summer months. Don't forget to bring your environmental card!

What is allowed in it?

All inflatable soft PVC items you use at the beach or pool are welcome. Think beach balls, swimming bands, small pools and inflatable figures. Please note that air mattresses without a velour or velvet layer are also allowed, but balloons and large inflatable pools are not. 

Together we are creating a cleaner and litter-free region! Will you join us?

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips