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?
Gft is fruit, vegetable and garden waste and comes mainly from the kitchen. Think vegetable and fruit 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 dishes, canning cans and plastic packaging of, for example, sauce or shampoo. Pmd consist of valuable raw materials from which new products are made.
Tips:
- 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.
- Keep packages separate so that the plant can separate them.
- For canning jars, bend the lid inwards.
- Make sure packages are as empty as possible. Rinsing is not necessary.
- Fold drinks cartons flat and screw the cap back on. This saves a lot of space in the container.
- To avoid littering, it is important to collect pmd in a bag and dispose of it in a bin.
- 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 disposed of at 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 are covered by small chemical waste small chemical waste (kca). Batteries contain harmful substances that can damage the environment and even cause fires. 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 take them to one of our environmental centres bring.
Tip: Give a still-working device a second life by sending it to a thrift shop or sell 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 comprehensive divorce guide.
Together, we are creating a cleaner and more sustainable world!
For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips