• Intro text: In 2024, the time will come. Then the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam and Molenlanden will switch to the recycling tariff. This year, we will get you started with advice and tips to make separating waste in 2024 even better and easier.

In 2024, the time will come. Then the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam and Molenlanden will switch to the recycling tariff. This year, we will help residents get started with advice and tips to make separating waste in 2024 even better and easier.

By 2050, there should be no more residual waste. All waste must then become raw materials again. This was agreed in the Paris Climate Agreement. This should counteract the depletion of raw materials on earth. Incinerating residual waste also causes CO2 emissions and this, too, must be reduced to zero by 2050. 2050 seems a long way off, but by 2030 the amount of residual waste should already be reduced by half. That is why Waardlanden will start the so-called recycling tariff in 2024. Waste is separated by:

• Waste paper and cardboard (opk)
• Plastic packaging, metal packaging and drink cartons (pmd)
• Vegetable, fruit, garden and food waste (VGF)
• Residual household waste
• Bulky residual waste to be taken to the waste disposal site

Waste tax

Now, every household still pays one fixed amount for waste collection. From 1 January 2024, municipalities will calculate waste charges in a new way. Part is fixed and part is variable. This varying part is called the recycling rate. You pay this rate every time you have your residual waste container emptied or throw a rubbish bag in the collection container for residual waste. Municipalities take into account people with a lot of medical waste, litter pickers and people with insufficient income.

The recycling tariff will not apply to residents of Vijfheerenlanden. This municipality will decide on the recycling tariff after an evaluation on the effects of the other changes.
Households again receive the fixed waste levy assessment at the beginning of the year. The variable part is charged afterwards.

Separating waste even better

We will use this year to familiarise residents with separating waste even better, telling them which container which waste belongs in, making it clear how the waste charges will work and, above all, how residents can influence the costs by separating their waste even better. During 2023, there will also be a charge for the collection and delivery service for bulky residual waste.

Staying up-to-date

In short: a lot is going to happen. On our the website, social media and with other forms of communication, we will work with residents to ensure the best results together.

• Intro text: The time has finally come on 1 April. After deposits on plastic bottles led to a reduction of up to 70% of plastic bottles in nature, it is now cans' turn.

The time has finally come on 1 April. After deposits on plastic bottles led to a reduction of up to 70% of plastic bottles in nature, it is now cans' turn.

Deposits work. This is evident from the large reduction in the number of plastic bottles in nature. After a delay, deposits will also be levied on cans from 1 April: 15 cents per can. Return the cans where you bought them, such as the supermarket or petrol station, and you will get your 15 cents back. Nature will thank you for it.

Sports associations beware!

As is the case for deposits on plastic bottles, there will also be a special scheme for cans. Statiegeldnederland.nl is working on this scheme. The idea is that sports associations can apply for so-called donation boxes. Members and visitors can throw their empty cans into these and the deposit is for the club's coffers. The sports associations and Statiegeldnederland.nl will inform sports clubs further about this. If you are a member of a sports club: please raise the issue, because in the end it will benefit the club's finances and nature.

• Intro text: New underground collection containers for residual waste have been installed in the former municipality of Vianen. So there is always a collection container within walking distance.

New underground collection containers for residual waste have been installed in the former municipality of Vianen. So there is always a collection container within walking distance. Below is an overview of the new containers per village/neighbourhood. As soon as we know exact coordinates of the containers, we will also add these container locations in the Waardlanden app.

• Everdingen
• Hagestein
• Hoef and Haag
• Vianen Binnenstad
• Vianen West
• Vianen Amaliastein Oost
• Vianen De Hagen
• Vianen Rijsenborch
• Zijderveld

Everdingen

Hagestein

Hoef and Haag

Vianen Binnenstad

Vianen West

Vianen Amaliastein Oost

Vianen De Hagen

Vianen Rijsenborch

Zijderveld

• Intro text: Since last summer, we have been working on new collection containers for GFT places at high-rise buildings. This will soon allow residents of flats, flats and upstairs flats to separate GFT. 

Since last summer, we have been installing new GFT collection containers at high-rise buildings. In this way, even residents of flats, flats and upstairs flats will soon be able to separate vegetable, fruit and garden waste and food waste (VGF). We have started putting stickers on these new containers. First in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, then to Gorinchem and Vijfheerenlanden. And finally Molenlanden.

What is allowed in the GFT?

Separating GFT is not always easy, because what goes where? The sticker on the new container explains with symbols what belongs to the GFT is allowed. Are you unsure whether something belongs in VGF waste or not? Then simply scan the QR code on the sticker for more separation tips. Or go to waardlanden.nl/gft.

Why is separating GFT important?

If you GFT separated from residual waste, it is recycled into, for example, compost and biogas (green gas). Compost is a soil improver in the garden or on the land. Green gas is an alternative to natural gas. GFT put in the residual waste is burnt with the residual waste and not recycled. This GFT is lost forever.

When can the new GFT container be used?

You will receive an environmental pass in 2023 to access the containers. Until then, the GFT collection containers will remain closed.

Questions?

Placing GFT collection containers at high-rise buildings is part of the introduction of the new waste and resources policy. We can imagine that, like many other residents, you have questions about the changes around waste collection. That is understandable. That is why you will find more information and answers to frequently asked questions on our website.

> Find out more about the changes around waste collection at waardlanden.nl/samenafvalvrij

• Intro text: Residents in the former municipality of Vianen still kept their plastic, metal and drink cartons (pmd) separated in special pmd bags. Since April 2023, the special pmd bags have disappeared.

If you live in the former municipality of Vianen, you still kept plastic packaging, metal packaging and drink cartons (pmd) separated in special pmd bags. The special pmd bags are now gone. Also, in April 2023, the above-ground containers in cores, in  neighbourhoods and at shopping centres removed.

Why a new way of pmd collection

Separating pmd at home with containers is very successful at low-rise buildings and in the outlying areas in our region. Separation at home produces the best quality raw materials. It is also the cheapest way to separate waste. That's why we now collect pmd in the former municipality of Vianen in the same way as in the rest of the region. The bags for pmd have disappeared. Pmd bags were regularly presented too early or not on the normal collection day. This created litter.

Residents of a flat, flat or upstairs flat often have no or less space to keep waste properly separated. The pmd collection in collection containers is a lot lower there. This is also a national picture. Separating afterwards is better than not separating. That is why these residents can dispose of PMD and residual waste together in the residual waste containers in the neighbourhood. By opting for post-separation of PMD from residual waste for high-rise buildings, we need to incinerate less residual waste expensively and we can therefore recycle more. For high-rise buildings, post-separation of PMD is therefore the best choice.

Changes around waste collection in 2023

The coming period will see changes around waste in the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden. For instance, the municipalities want to encourage and help all residents to separate less residual waste and (even) better. To this end, the municipalities drew up a new raw materials policy together with Waardlanden. This new plan sets out how to reduce the amount of residual waste. We want to go from 232 kilograms in 2020 to 100 kilograms per person per year in 2025. Preparations and work to implement this new policy are in full swing.
> Find out more at waardlanden.nl/samenafvalvrij

Why separate waste?

Some 70 per cent of our waste is raw material. Like plastic, paper, glass, garden waste and food scraps. If we separate this properly, we can reuse it. For example, we can turn organic waste into compost. From PMD we can make new packaging and products. And an old table gets a new life if we take it to a recycling centre. If we separate waste better and reuse more of it, we need to extract fewer new materials from the earth. And there will be less residual waste left over for incineration. Also, the national government's incineration tax makes burning residual waste increasingly expensive. So less waste is important for the environment and for your wallet.

 Tip

We can imagine that, like many other residents, you have questions about the changes. This is understandable. That is why you will find answers to frequently asked questions on our website.

> Find answers to frequently asked questions

• Intro text: From 1 February, all diesel vehicles of Waardlanden will run on HVO100. HVO100 is a sustainable cleaner diesel variant made from processed vegetable and animal residual waste, such as oils and fats. The fuel reduces CO2 emissions and improves air quality. It is also better for the engines of

From 1 February, all Waardlanden diesel vehicles will run on HVO100. HVO100 is a sustainable cleaner diesel variant made from spent vegetable and animal residues, such as oils and fats. The fuel reduces CO2 emissions and improves air quality. It is also better for the engines of cars.

Very low emissions

HVO100 is the cleanest fuel currently used in diesel engines. It is colourless, virtually odourless, clear as water and completely biodegradable. The new fuel, supplied by Wiersma Olie en Techniek, offers many advantages when it comes to sustainability. Fuelling with HVO100 saves up to 90% CO2 emissions compared to regular diesel. The fuel has very low emissions of gases such as particulates, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides.

Making waste and raw materials collection more sustainable

The switch to this new fuel is a nice step in making Waardlanden's fleet of vehicles more sustainable and thus waste and raw materials collection as a whole. Because the trucks pollute the local air quality less during operations. The fuel is also better for the engine, as filters and injectors stay clean longer. And no costly modifications are needed to existing diesel engines. HVO100 can be used directly in all diesel vehicles.

• Intro text: In all our municipalities, we are adapting the throw-in openings of the underground collection containers for residual waste and PMD. The container openings go from 80 litres to 60 litres. We also place GFT collection containers at flats and apartment complexes.

In all our municipalities, we are adapting the throw-in openings of the underground collection containers for residual waste and pmd (plastic packaging, metal packaging and drink cartons). The container openings will go from 80 litres to 60 litres. We will also place new containers for VGF (vegetable, fruit and garden waste and food waste) at flats and apartment complexes.

When will the containers be adjusted and installed?

[Update | December 22, 2022]
In Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden, Zederik and Leerdam, the containers have been adapted and placed. In Gorinchem, we are still working on this in some locations.

Adapt underground containers for residual waste and pmd

What do you notice about this?

The throw-in opening of the underground collection containers for residual waste and PMD will go from 80 litres to 60 litres. The opening will therefore be slightly smaller. You can still put a 60-litre rubbish bag in the container. You may have to press it a little more or put it in a different way. Nothing else will change.
However, the underground containers may be temporarily less accessible during the works; we ask for your understanding.

Why are we adjusting container openings?

There are several reasons why we modify the container openings:

• Most people use 60-litre bin liners. The size of the custom opening is the same as that. So these rubbish bags will still fit.
• With a smaller opening, bulky waste cannot be put into underground containers as easily. Underground collection containers are meant for fine household waste (rubbish bags). Bulky waste, such as laminate or a broken garden chair, does not belong in underground containers. The smaller opening makes it less easy to put this in. This also prevents malfunctions. Because bulky waste regularly gets stuck in the container, so the lid no longer opens. As a result, local residents can no longer dispose of their waste.
  Bulky waste can be collected or bring to our environmental centres.

New GFT collection containers

At flats and apartment complexes, we place GFT collection containers. These containers remain closed. So you cannot start using them immediately. Before the summer of 2023, you will receive an environmental pass that gives you access to the containers. Until then, the biodegradable waste containers will remain closed. You will therefore continue to dispose of your GFT in the usual way.

Introduction of new waste and resources policy

The installation and modification of the collection containers is part of the introduction of the new waste and resources policy.

> Find out more about the new waste and resources policy

• Intro text: Download our handy app. This way, you always have all waste information to hand. And you know exactly when your container is due at the road and where what type of waste is allowed.

Very handy! Install our app on your smartphone. This way, you always have all waste information to hand. The app contains your personal waste calendar. You can also set it to notify you when you need to take one of your containers to the road. Then you will never forget this.

All useful functions at a glance

• Your personal waste calendar
• Report such as a full collection container or an illegal dump
• Container location search
• Separate more easily with the handy waste separation guide
• Receiving important messages

Download the Waardlanden app for Android or iOS

• Intro text: After an elaborate Christmas dinner, delicious leftovers are often left over. Don't throw them away! Use them to make surprising dishes or freeze them. That way you can enjoy the festive season even longer and contribute to reducing food waste.

After a festive Christmas dinner, there are often leftovers. Don't throw them away, make delicious and surprising dishes with them or freeze them. This way, you prolong the festive season and prevent food waste. Here are four creative ideas:

Roasted vegetable soup

Do you have leftover roasted vegetables? Turn them into a delicious smooth soup. Mash the vegetables, add stock and herbs, and in no time you have a flavourful soup that is as festive as your Christmas dinner.

Christmas quiche

Small scraps of meat, cheese and vegetables are perfect for a savoury quiche. Mix them with eggs and some cream, pour into a pie tin and bake in the oven. This way, you give those leftover ingredients a second life in a delicious meal.

Luxury salad with a twist

Leftover turkey or ham? Combine it with fresh lettuce, nuts, bits of cheese and a dressing of olive oil and lemon. A fresh, crunchy salad that still has just that touch of Christmas.

Bread pudding with fruit

Old bread and leftover Christmas cake can be transformed into a sweet bread pudding. Add milk, eggs, cinnamon and possibly some pieces of fruit. Bake in the oven until golden brown and you have a delicious dessert.

Free recipe booklet

Looking for more ideas? Making something tasty with leftovers is easy with the delicious leftover recipes by Jetske van den Elsen, Eric Corton and Yvette van Boven, among others!

Download the free leftover recipe booklet. Or ask ChatGPT for the tastiest surprising recipes. This way, you will turn every leftover into something special and prolong the festive flavours.

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips

• Intro text: Festive and sustainable! Make your Christmas shopping greener with these practical tips for conscious shopping.

Christmas is a time of conviviality, but also a period when a lot is bought and wasted. By buying consciously, you can enjoy festive Christmas without a big impact on the environment. Here are some tips for sustainable shopping.

1. Buy locally

Support local shops and markets. By buying locally, you reduce the distance products travel. This means less transport, less CO2 emissions and less damage to the environment. Moreover, you often find unique gifts that you won't find in big shops.

2. Choose sustainable products

Choose gifts that are long-lasting, reusable, or made from recycled materials. Organic products, such as chocolate and wine, are also a conscious choice. These products often have a smaller carbon footprint and come from suppliers who act fairly. So you can be sure you are making a positive impact!

3. Avoid unnecessary packaging

Many Christmas products are over-packaged. Choose products without plastic or in recyclable packaging. Be creative with wrapping; use fabric or reusable bags instead of wrapping paper. This not only saves waste, but also gives your gifts a unique look!

4. Plan your Christmas meal smartly

Buy your food consciously. Buy no more than you need, and choose seasonal and local produce. This makes food fresher, tastier and less harmful to the environment. Moreover, you reduce the chances of having leftovers.

5. Give experiences as a gift

Not everything has to be tangible. Give an experience as a gift, such as a dinner, a day out, or a creative workshop. This will create lasting memories without leaving any waste behind.

With these small changes, you can make a big impact. Celebrate a cosy Christmas that feels good and does good for the world around you!

For more tips, visit waardlanden.nl/tips