Tips

Need to replace your mattress? Get it recycled!

• Intro text: Do you have an old mattress or topper you want to get rid of? No worries! Bring it to the recycling centre for free.  

Do you have an old mattress or topper you want to get rid of? No worries! Bring it to the recycling centre for free.  

Free drop-off at the environmental centre for recycling 

There is a special container at the waste disposal site where you can leave your old mattress or topper. Your mattress or topper contains valuable raw materials that can be recycled. By bringing your old mattress or topper to the waste disposal site, you help protect the environment. Does your old mattress or topper not fit in your car? Then you can borrow a trailer free of charge from the environmental centre.  

Collection of your mattress or topper at home 

Can't bring it yourself? No problem! You can also make an appointment online to have it collected and pay directly with iDeal. Bulky waste that you have collected from your home is residual waste and will be incinerated. A shame, because bulky household waste contains many valuable materials that can be reused. With a fee on this collection service, the municipalities encourage you to sort your bulky waste and deliver it separately to the waste disposal site.  

Coffee pods and tea bags can be disposed of in organic waste

• Intro text: Did you know that almost all the tea bags and coffee pads we use in the Netherlands are compostable? So throw them away with your vegetable, fruit and garden (VGF) waste.

Did you know that almost all the tea bags and coffee pads we use in the Netherlands are compostable? So throw them away with your vegetable, fruit and garden (VGF) waste.

Many people were already throwing coffee pods and tea bags into the GFT bin by feel. Plastic in the filter material contaminated the compost. The industry has now removed that plastic. Coffee and tea producers in the Netherlands agreed with the central government to make their coffee pads and tea bags from fully compostable material.

88 million kilos of additional compost

As many as 93 per cent of tea bags and 97 per cent of all coffee pads are now compostable, according to the industry association Coffee & Tea Netherlands, according to a Rijkswaterstaat sample. All coffee pods and tea bags that are now allowed with the VGF waste, provide about 88 million kilos of extra compost, according to the industry association. Good for agriculture and horticulture, so crops can grow better and for your own garden.

Attention: coffee capsules in residual waste

Coffee capsules (cups) do belong in residual waste. Compostable coffee capsules, like many other hard plastics, often do not break down, or do not break down sufficiently, in composting plants. In the longer term, manufacturers want to try to properly recycle aluminium cups. Plans for this are still in the works.

What can and cannot go with fruit, vegetable and garden waste?

Wondering what else goes with fruit, vegetable and garden waste and what doesn't? Check out our separation rules for kitchen waste, fine garden waste, animals and waste separation tools.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

Where do sand, soil and (garden) earth belong?

• Intro text: It may seem logical: sand, soil and (garden) earth are natural materials, so why worry about how we dispose of them? Yet it is important to dispose of these materials properly.

It may seem logical: sand, soil and (garden) earth are natural materials, so why worry about how we dispose of them? Yet it is important to dispose of these materials properly. Otherwise, they can have a big impact on our environment.

Not with GFT

Sand, soil and (garden) earth do not belong with vegetable, fruit and garden waste, also known as GFT. It may seem logical to throw them away with this, but this can interfere with the composting process. If these materials end up in the GFT container, it can lead to rejection of the container. As a result, it will not be emptied.

Processing at home

But where can we put these materials? Fortunately, there is a solution. At home, you can safely dispose of small amounts of pot and garden soil in the kitchen and garden waste. Think of the soil from a flower pot or the soil from weeds. From our GFT we can make green gas and compost. Agriculture and horticulture use these valuable resources as soil improvers, helping crops to grow. But the great thing is that we ourselves can also benefit from compost in our gardens and for our plants. Moreover, the gas is used to heat houses. So we are not only contributing to a more environmentally friendly world, but also to a more sustainable future for all of us.

Advantage through reuse

For larger quantities of sand, soil and (garden) earth, there are special companies that take these materials, inspect and purify them for reuse. By working together for a cleaner and greener world, we can really make a difference. So let's be mindful of our natural materials by separating them properly. That way we contribute to a clean region and waste-free future for ourselves and generations to come. With each other and for each other.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

Small change, big effect! How to easily separate GFT at home

• Intro text: Want to keep your fruit, vegetable, garden and food waste (GFT) separate without any effort? Then use a handy VGF container with compostable bags on your kitchen counter. You can dispose of the full bags free of charge in the VGF container.

Want to keep your fruit, vegetable, garden and food waste (VGF) separate without any effort? Then use a handy food waste bin with compostable bags on your kitchen counter. This makes it easy to dispose of food waste and prevents it from ending up in the regular rubbish.

Dispose of GFT free of charge  

Good news! You can dispose of the full compostable bags for free in your neighbourhood GFT container with the environment card. Do you have a VGF container at home? The compostable bags keep it nice and clean. Plastic does not belong with VGF waste. So look carefully at the logo on the compostable bag. That way you can be sure you are using the right bag.

From kitchen to compost 

Did you know that if you keep kitchen and garden waste separated from residual waste, it is recycled into compost and biogas (green gas)? Compost is good for the garden and the land, while green gas is an environmentally friendly alternative to natural gas. When GFT ends up with the residual waste, it is burnt and not recycled. We then lose that VGF waste forever.  In this way, you are helping to create a cleaner world.

Wondering what can and cannot go with kitchen and garden waste? For your convenience, we have listed the separation rules.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

Find out how to handle mercury safely

• Intro text: Mercury is not only toxic but also difficult to clean up. Avoid health risks and high costs by safely disposing of your mercury meter!

Important warning: be careful with mercury! GGD warns about the dangers of mercury in old thermometers and barometers. Mercury is not only toxic but also difficult to dispose of. Avoid health risks and high costs by disposing of your mercury meter safely!

Tip 1: Check your home

Do you still have an old thermometer or barometer with mercury? Be sure and check if you have this risk in your home.

Tip 2: Safe packaging  

If your mercury meter breaks, there could be major consequences. Carefully wrap the broken meter in double plastic. This will prevent the mercury from spreading.

Tip 3: Go to the waste disposal site

To get rid of mercury responsibly, bring your safely packed mercury meter to the small chemical waste (MSW) at the environmental centre free of charge.

Tip 4: Avoid mercury poisoning

Barometers, in particular, contain a lot of mercury. Mercury vapour can cause serious health problems, especially in pregnant women and children.

Tip 5: Avoid high costs 

Mercury is difficult to dispose of and can lead to significant costs. Save yourself trouble and dispose of it safely.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

5 tips to prevent littering

• Intro text: Say no to litter! Together, we can reduce litter. We list the 5 most important tips! 

Litter is harmful to humans animals, and the environment. Animals get entangled in it or eat it, which is unhealthy. It also attracts vermin and pollutes the soil. Fortunately, together we can do something to reduce litter. We list the 5 most important tips!

Tip 1: Put waste in the bin 

Never put rubbish bags next to the containers. This will prevent litter and pests. Make sure rubbish fits in the bin to avoid problems when emptying. Do not put rubbish next to the containers. You will pay high disposal fees for doing so.

Tip 2: Report attached waste  

Do you see rubbish next to a container? Report it to your local council or Waardlanden. Give the container number on your report. This number can be found at the top left of the container.

Tip 3: Manage bulky waste smartly

Bring bulky waste to the waste disposal site or make a bulky waste appointment to have it collected. Do not put bulky waste on the street without an appointment.

Tip 4: Keep litter under control

Throw rubbish in bins on the road, even small items like chewing gum and cigarette butts. If there is no bin nearby, take small waste home.

Tip 5: Don't feed birds 

Do not feed bread to birds, it is unhealthy for them and attracts pests such as rats. Throw old bread in the GFT container.

Together, we ensure a litter-free and clean environment!

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

Waste prevention is even better than waste separation

• Intro text: Prevention is always better than cure. The same goes for waste. But how do you do it? Find out how, instead of separating waste, you can focus on waste prevention.

Did you know that preventing waste is actually even better than separating waste? Yes really! It's not just about protecting the environment, but also about contributing to the world and doing something for others. By being conscious about buying new stuff and making smart choices about how to use things, we can reduce the amount of waste. Your small efforts make a big difference and contribute to a more sustainable world. That's why we give you some handy tips to prevent waste.  

How can you prevent waste?

Think about whether you really need something

Look critically at the products you buy and avoid products with unnecessary packaging. Go for fresh fruit and vegetables instead of pre-packaged varieties, for example. Do not use plastic bags for these but reusable bags. 

Opt for reusable products

Use reusable shopping bags, water bottles, coffee cups and lunch boxes. So bring a bag from home when you go to the supermarket. This way, you will reduce the use of disposables and save money. 

Make sustainable choices

Consider sustainable options for disposable products, such as reusable cotton buds, reusable straws and beeswax towels or a Tupperware container instead of plastic film. 

Give things a second life 

Bring still usable items to the thrift shop, give them away to friends or family, or sell them online. You can also get old broken things fixed at a repair shop. This will give them a second chance and prevent them from ending up in the rubbish. 

Cook consciously

Plan meals and buy only ingredients you need. This will prevent food from spoiling and having to be thrown away. Also check the fridge once before going to the supermarket for new ingredients and cook with the stuff you already have in the house. Tip: Do you have several ingredients in the fridge but don't know what dish to make with them? Use ChatGPT to create a recipe. Type in the ingredients you still have in the house and ask for a recipe. ChatGPT will then create a recipe and tell you which ingredients you might still need. Making cooking sustainable and fun!

Buy consciously

Try to buy products such as rice, pasta and nuts in economy packs. This not only saves packaging waste, but is often more economical. 

Compost fruit and vegetable waste

If you have a garden, you can compost your fruit and vegetable waste. This way, you make your own fertile compost for your garden and reduce waste. 

Go for digital options

Reduce the use of paper by opting for digital invoices, e-tickets and online magazines.  

By applying these tips, together we can reduce the amount of waste. Because preventing waste is not only better for the environment, it also saves money and makes our living environment cleaner and more beautiful.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

Separating waste starts in the kitchen and bathroom: handy tips!

• Intro text: By separating waste properly, you will keep less residual waste. But how can you do this easily? Did you know that you can start doing so in the kitchen and bathroom?

By separating waste properly, you will keep less residual waste. But how can you do this easily? Did you know that you can start doing so in the kitchen and bathroom? In this blog, we explain a few different terms. What does biodegradable waste mean? What should go in residual waste? And where do (small) electrical appliances and batteries belong? We also give you useful tips on how to easily separate waste to reduce residual waste.

What is GFT?

VGF is vegetable, fruit and garden waste and mainly comes from the kitchen. Think fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, bones and bones. But also flowers, plants, grass and leaves. Kitchen paper (without printing) with food leftovers or leftover gravy can also go in the organic waste container. But beware: packaging materials for meat, fish or cheese do not belong in the GFT waste. Do not throw plastic, paper or other waste in the organic waste. This interferes with recycling and can end up in nature and water via compost.

What is pmd?

Pmd stands for plastic packaging, metal packaging and beverage containers. This waste mainly comes from the kitchen and bathroom. Think of empty plastic bottles, cans, yoghurt packs, aluminium trays, canning cans and plastic packaging of, for example, sauce or shampoo. Pmd consist of valuable raw materials from which new products are made.

Tips:

1. It is important to only put packaging with the pmd. Hard plastic and Styrofoam belong at the waste disposal site or with the residual waste. 
2. Keep packages separate so that the plant can separate them.
3. For canning jars, bend the lid inwards.
4. Make sure packages are as empty as possible. Rinsing is not necessary.
5. Fold drinks cartons flat and screw the cap back on. This saves a lot of space in the container.
6. To avoid littering, it is important to collect pmd in a bag and dispose of it in a bin.
7. Note: there is a deposit on plastic drinking bottles and beverage cans

If you live in a low-rise building, you have a separate pmd container to separate pmd at home. Do you live in a flat, upstairs flat or in a low-rise building without a pmd container, such as in a neighbourhood like the Giessenburg and the Bilderhof or in the centre of Gorinchem, Leerdam or Vianen? Then, after the introduction of the environment card, you will dispose of pmd and residual waste together in the collection container for residual waste. All collection containers for PMD will disappear. We will collect this waste separately and our waste processor will separate your pmd and residual waste afterwards. So pay very close attention that you separate VGF waste correctly so that the wet flow of VGF waste does not stick to your residual waste. If you separate it correctly, pmd can be taken out of residual waste easier and better without, for example, food particles sticking to it. So you can be sure that your pmd is also recycled in the best possible way. If you empty and flatten the packaging properly, you can put more pmd in your residual waste bag.  

Residual waste 

Non-recyclable waste, such as nappies, cat litter, coffee cups and broken drinking glasses, can be put in the residual waste (grey container or bin bag). This waste is then taken to a waste-to-energy plant. There, the residual waste is incinerated. This generates energy for electricity or district heating. After incineration, useful metals can still be recovered from the ashes. Some of the ash residue is used in road construction. 

Do you live in a high-rise or low-rise building without a separate pmd container? Then your waste is separated by machine first: recyclable materials such as plastic, drink containers and metals are taken out.  

(Small) electrical appliances and batteries, where can you dispose of them? 

Batteries fall under small chemical waste small chemical waste (CDW). Batteries contain harmful substances that can harm the environment and even cause fire. Therefore, never throw them in the residual waste, but hand them in at shops, supermarkets and also at many primary schools. About 95% of the nickel, cobalt and copper in batteries can be reused. Batteries also contain other fully reusable metals, such as zinc, iron and steel. Zinc is used for gutters, steel for nails and steel wire, and nickel is used for new batteries.  

You can hand in broken appliances free of charge when buying a new, similar appliance or at one of our environmental centres. The collected appliances are processed in an environmentally friendly way. Most materials, such as steel, aluminium, copper, plastics, glass, wood and PUR powder can be reused to make new products. Small electrical appliances can be handed in collection bins at various DIY stores, electronics shops and supermarkets. You can also bring them to one of our environmental centres.  

Tip: Give a still-working appliance a second life by taking it to a thrift shop or selling it over the internet. Or have a broken appliance repaired at a repair café. There are two exceptions: old refrigerators, freezers and clothes dryers should not be given away or sold because they use too much energy. It is better to take them to the waste disposal site (also look into the possibility of renting a free trailer) or have them collected by appointment.  

Easy waste separation in different rooms 

Separating waste does not have to be difficult. There are several places where you can easily start: 

1. Kitchen: Place a separate kitchen bin for VGF waste and a bag or bin for PMD and residual waste. Make sure you label these clearly so that everyone in the house knows where to put the waste and raw materials. Or use special solutions so you only need one bin for different waste. 
2. Bathroom: Place a small bin for empty shampoo and shower gel bottles and other plastic containers. Note: Razor blades are often made of plastic, but should be thrown in the residual waste. Of course, even better to avoid waste, consider a shampoo bar or reusable cotton pads. 
3. Living room and workplace: Set up a paper bin for newspapers, magazines and other scrap paper and cardboard. It is also possible to read your magazine or newspaper online. This reduces waste paper and thus avoids waste.

By separating waste at these places in the house, waste separation becomes a habit and you can easily keep it up. 

Get started with the Waardlanden app!

With these handy tips, you can start separating waste in the kitchen and other areas of your home right away. Remember that proper waste separation helps to reduce residual waste and recycle more valuable raw materials. Still not sure where your waste and raw materials belong? Then check the Waardlanden app or our extensive separation guide.

Together, we are creating a cleaner and more sustainable world! 

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

Prevent your container from freezing

In the winter months, the mercury sometimes drops well below zero. This can cause problems when emptying your container. In this article, you will find tips to reduce the risk of freezing.

Tips against food waste

Did you know that in the Netherlands, we never eat a quarter of all our food? All that food is grown, processed, transported, cooled and warmed. We put a lot of energy into it. It is a shame if we waste energy and raw materials by throwing away food unnecessarily. You too can help prevent food waste!