• Intro text: Schools rescue 17,424 appliances from residual waste for reuse and recycling. With 2,773 appliances collected, IKC Merwede from Hardinxveld-Giessendam won first place in the E-waste Race 2024.

With 2,773 appliances collected, IKC Merwede from Hardinxveld-Giessendam won first place in the E-waste Race 2024. Between 11 March and 4 April, they competed against nine other primary schools in the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden to collect as many discarded and broken electronic devices as possible. Mayor Dirk Heijkoop of Hardinxveld-Giessendam municipality and education officer Ozan Cimen handed over the prize to the proud school on 4 April. They won a visit to Nemo Science Museum in Amsterdam.

It became an exciting final battle between the fanatical schools. Children went door-to-door with flyers telling local residents about the race. Neighbours could offer old electronic appliances - from kettles to DVD players, and straighteners to coffee makers - online. After which students came to collect the appliances from their homes. Children who had e-waste repaired received extra points for their school. In the end, the children of IKC Merwede managed to collect an impressive 2,773 appliances within four weeks. A great achievement as they managed to do this with just 13 enthusiastic pupils. Which amounts to an average of 213 devices per pupil. SmdB de Regenboog, also from Hardinxveld-Giessendam, finished a fine second place. They collected 5,317 devices with 35 pupils, an average of 152 devices per pupil.

17,424 devices for reuse and recycling

In total, the ten primary schools collectively collected as many as 17,424 old and broken electronic devices, and 22 devices were given a new life via Marketplace. Thanks to the successful school battle, these devices do not end up in the residual waste, but are reused and recycled. A great development, as currently half of the electronic waste in the Netherlands is still not recycled. Often, old devices disappear in a drawer, in the attic or with the residual waste, even though they are full of valuable materials and raw materials.

Give e-waste a second life

Do you have any e-waste lying around at home? Hand it in free of charge at the recycling centre, at the shop or online service where you buy a new similar appliance or at shops and DIY stores with a collection point near you. This way, your old appliance can also be recycled.

Battle between ten primary schools

Participating in the E-waste Race 2024 were: CBS de Regenboog (location Retranchement) & KBS Mariëngaarde from the municipality of Gorinchem, IKC Merwede, de Wonderwijzer, de Driemaster (location Pietersweer) and SmdB de Regenboog from the municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam, SmdB de Zaaier and the Eben-Haëzerschool from the municipality of Molenlanden and SmdB het Fundament and OBS de Springplank from the municipality of Vijfheerenlanden. Participation in the race contributes to a sustainable cycle of valuable raw materials, promotes positive behavioural change and raises awareness about e-waste recycling among pupils and their immediate environment.

• Intro text: Captain of The Plastic Geurrilla Bram from der Wal is firmly and passionately committed to tackling pollution in our and our children's and grandchildren's future environment.

In the quiet and green Alblasserwaard, a group of people once got together with a mission: to fight litter in the beautiful region. This is how environmental initiative The Plastic Guerrilla (DPG) was born six years ago. DPG leader Bram from der Wal is firmly and passionately committed to tackling pollution in our region and the future living environment of our children and grandchildren.

Growing strength

Of course, it does not do so alone. Armed with grabs and rubbish bags, the environmental group, together with fellow fighters and supporters, holds clean-up campaigns in polluted areas in our region throughout the year. 'Because every piece of litter picked up, brings us one step closer to a cleaner place,' says Plastic Guerrilla warrior Bram. 'It is so nice to see new fighters signing up with every action. From town to village, young and old, all determined to fight for our common cause.'

Education and future fighters

Thus, The Plastic Guerrilla continues to grow into a force that is unstoppable. Apart from the clean-up campaigns, the environmental group also educates in schools and participates in school projects on the importance of a clean living environment. In this way, young warriors are also encouraged to change the world.

Join The Plastic Geurrilla

Take action too and join The Plastic Guerrilla! Don't be a spectator, but a participant in the fight against litter. Then children and grandchildren can grow up in an environment that is clean and healthy. Wondering when the next plastic guerrilla will take place and how you can join in? Follow DPG on Facebook or see plasticgeurrilla.co.uk.

This is how we are moving together towards a clean environment and waste-free future.

• Intro text: Today begins spring, time to make your outfits lighter and airier. Get rid of those thick jumpers and hello clothes that suit spring. But how do you do that in an eco-friendly way? We offer some tips. 

Today begins spring, time to make your outfits lighter and airier. Get rid of those thick jumpers and hello clothes that suit spring. But how do you do that in an eco-friendly way? 

Manufacturing new clothes is super bad for the environment because of all the water and chemicals it takes. That is why it is important to reuse your clothes as much as possible. Here are some tips: 

• Make your own clothes and accessoriesSewing and knitting are totally back. By making your own scarves and jumpers, you don't have to buy new ones ánd it's super fun to do.
• Pimp old clothesMake your old jumpers and t-shirts trendy again by decorating them with ecological clothing paint or iron-on patches. This will make them trendy again.
• Go for second-hand Check second-hand clothes shops or browse online for cool vintage clothes. It's not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet. Win-win! 
• Donate old clothes If you can't or no longer want to wear your clothes, give them to a second-hand shop. You can also dispose of your old clothes in a sealed bag in the textile container. Even broken clothes and worn-out shoes can be disposed of in the textile container. These can also be recycled. Dirty or wet clothing, with e.g. oil or paint on it, belongs in the residual waste. For more information on what belongs in the textile container, go to waardlanden.nl/textiles.

Whether you make your own clothes or buy second-hand, together we make the world a little greener and more stylish! 💚 

• Intro text: Today we celebrate International Recycling Day. Time to redouble our efforts and separate even better. Take the quiz and find out what you already know about waste separation.

Today we celebrate International Recycling Day. Time to redouble our efforts and separate even better. Take the quiz and find out what you already know about waste separation.

Take the Waste Separation Quiz

Take part and find out what type of waste separator you are with the Waste Separation Quiz. Test your knowledge and get useful tips to reduce waste and save costs. Together, we can make a difference!

> To the Waste Separation Quiz 

• Intro text: The Week of Waste Heroes is over. We organised all kinds of activities for our employees and to get residents positively involved in our important work. In our aftermovie, we look back on this wonderful week. Watch it with us?

During the Week of Waste Heroes, we organised all kinds of activities for our employees and to involve residents in a positive way in our important work.

Aftermovie Week of Waste Heroes 2024

It is great to see how much appreciation there is for our Heroes. In the aftermovie, we look back at all the highlights of the week. Take a look

Want to watch all the other videos again? View here our YouTube account! 

Activities Week of Waste Heroes

It was a jam-packed week full of appreciation and attention:

• We thanked our Heroes and put them in the extra spotlight. They enjoyed delicious treats and beautiful gifts
• We thanked our region's many litter pickers with a nice postcard
• Our Waste Heroes were honoured with several visits:
  • Board members spent a half-day on the trolleys and environmental sites
  • We were visited by Reinie Melissant, the mayor of the municipality of Gorinchem. She thanked the Heroes present for their commitment and work in her city and the region
  • NVRD visited the Heroes of the Ecopark
• We were featured on Radio Rijnmond where the 5 most special songs of our Heroes were played
• We organised four successful Meet & Greets. Visitors took a look inside the wagons and got behind the wheel of wagons they see driving through the streets every week. The sweeper cars did not stand still. The rides were a big hit with our youngest fans, who rode along in admiration and feasted their eyes. The enthusiastic Waste Heroes present at the Meet & Greets told proudly about their work and their trucks.
• We engaged with residents about our Heroes
• Residents organised clean-up campaigns

Winners win campaign for youngest fans

That our Waste Heroes deserve a thumbs up is evident from the lovely comments, crafts and drawings we received. From all the crafts and drawings, our very own Waste Heroes eventually chose 4 winners:

🏆 7-year-old Jelte from group 4 of the Klim-Op from Hoornaar
🏆 6-year-old Stijn from group 3 at Jenaplan school De Wilgenhoek in Leerdam
🏆 7-year-old Elyve from group 4 of Samen op Weg from Hoornaar
🏆 7-year-old David and 8-year-old Sophie from Hardinxveld-Giessendam

Congratulations on your prizes won! We will contact the winners to make an appointment to hand over the prizes. The Waste Heroes will visit each prize winner at their school. There, they will present the prize in front of the whole class in a fun way.

• Intro text: On this day, people all over the country pick up litter and of course residents, associations and companies in the municipalities where Waardlanden operates also take part. Won't you join us too?

On this day, people all over the country pick up litter and of course residents, associations and companies in the municipalities where Waardlanden operates also take part. Won't you join us too?

Clean into spring

It is almost a traditional spring cleaning but outside. Many of the regular litter pickers will therefore be picking up litter again on 23 March. Alone or together with friends, neighbours, sports association or club. Help too and contribute to a clean environment. That way, together, we ensure a clean municipality.

In our region

There is also plenty happening in our region this weekend. Some of the many initiatives:

• In Ameide, the Lekprikkers get to work in their own neighbourhood from 9am to 11.30am.
• In Giessenburg, the action "Giessenburg Schoon" is on the agenda. An initiative of Dorpskamer Giessenburg, Dorpsoverleg Giessenburg and Stichting Duurzaam Molenlanden. Picking verges, clearing litter and cleaning signs are among the tasks that will be taken up in the morning. The clean-up action is from 8.30 to 11.00 a.m. from the Dorpskamer, Breestraat 2 in Giessenburg.
• In Gorinchem, a group of volunteers will start cleaning the banks of the Canal van Steenenhoek again. 
• The Climate Circle of the Protestant Church and Clean Gorinchem will together clean up litter around the Grote Kerk in Gorinchem. They will start at 09:30 with a cup of coffee, starting from: the back of the Grote Kerk.
• Gather between 10:00 am and 10:30 am at Wijkcentrum Dalemplein, members of the Green Church (Oosterlicht) and Wijkcentrum Dalemplein will get to work around Dalemplein and Hoog-Dalem shopping centre.
• from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The Nature Centre will again make it a big party for children. Everyone is welcome to join the pony wagon to clean up litter.
• Of course, you are bound to meet one of our environmental coaches.

Safe litter picking

Do not pick up litter with your bare hands but always with gloves or a litter gripper. Don't have a litter picker or gloves (anymore)? Then ask our environmental coaches Ingrid and Nelleke for them. Send an e-mail to milieucoach@waardlanden.nl. The Litter picker or gloves can then be collected from the Waardlanden office at Boezem 3 in Gorinchem. Litter should be disposed of with residual waste.

• Intro text: Until 4 April, 10 primary schools will compete to collect as much electronic waste as possible, which can be reused or recycled. Will you help too?

Did you know that more than half of all electronic waste is still not recycled? A missed opportunity, as this waste is packed with valuable materials and resources. Fortunately, together we can do something about this! To emphasise the importance of recycling and to make it easier and more fun, Waardlanden is organising the E-waste Race from 11 March to 4 April. 

Towards a sustainable future 

It is important to make young generations aware and inspire them to actively contribute to a sustainable world. Pupils from ten primary schools from the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden will engage in an exciting battle with each other under this banner: collecting as much electronic waste as possible. To prepare the pupils well, they will receive an inspiring and interactive guest lesson from experts before the start of the E-Waste Race. They will learn about topics such as consumerism, scarcity of raw materials, reuse and recycling.   

From awareness to action 

After the guest lesson, pupils spend four weeks collecting as many old and broken electronic devices as possible or taking them to local repair cafes for a new life. Old laptops and broken kitchen machines often end up unused in the attic. What many people do not know is that 95% of the parts of some appliances can be reused. 

Help out too!

The E-Waste Race not only encourages primary school pupils to actively engage in recycling, but also local residents. They can help the pupils by reporting electronic waste at www.ewasterace.nl. Then students will come to your home to collect the items. Electronic waste are broken or old appliances that have a battery in them or a cord. Such as an old keyboard, broken kettle, old or broken cables and adapters. Ink cartridges, loose batteries and loose batteries do not fall under e-waste and are therefore not allowed to be handed in, you can hand these in at the environmental street. 

Battle between ten primary schools

The children receive points for e-waste collected. The school with the most points wins an all-expense paid school trip. In the municipality of Gorinchem, CBS de Regenboog (location Retranchement) and KBS Mariëngaarde are taking part in the competition. IKC Merwede, de Wonderwijzer, de Driemaster (location Pietersweer) and SmdB de Regenboog are participating in Hardinxveld-Giessendam. In Molenlanden, SmdB de Zaaier and the Eben-Haëzer school are preparing to compete and in Vijfheerenlanden, SmdB het Fundament and OBS de Springplank are doing so. Will they manage to collect even more e-waste this year than last year's impressive 22,782 devices? 

The E-Waste Race 

The E-waste Race will take place from 11 March to 4 April 2024. The race is an initiative of Waardlanden and HVC. They ensure that the collected e-waste reaches recyclers. Together, we strive for a waste-free and more sustainable future in which waste becomes new raw materials again. 

• Intro text: In wind and rain, at night and on holidays, in times of crisis: the work of the Waste Heroes always goes on. And we should be proud of that! That is why we are once again taking part in the Week of Waste Heroes from 4 to 10 March. Will you join us? 

From 4 to 10 March, it is the Week of Waste Heroes across the Netherlands. The week in which we put everyone in the spotlight who works in waste collection, greenmanagement, cleaning and processing. Because all the men and women who work hard every day to keep our beautiful region clean and safe are Heroes! In wind and rain, at night and on public holidays, in times of crisis: the work of our Waste Heroes always goes on. And we can be proud of that!

When do we actually call someone a hero? When we ask our Waste Heroes themselves, we often hear: 'I'm just doing my job and don't consider myself a hero.'' But if they lay down their work, our beautiful region will become heavily polluted and unsafe in no time. We simply cannot do without them; they do work that matters.  As a token of appreciation, we therefore organise all kinds of activities for our employees during the Week of Waste Heroes and call on residents from the region to also join in to show their appreciation. 

Meet our Waste Heroes at Meet & Greets

At central locations in the municipalities, residents can meet our Waste Heroes on afternoons between 3pm and 4.30pm. The perfect time to  get behind the wheel of a real collection truck or take a ride on a sweeper! Children who hand in a nice drawing or handicraft will also have a chance of winning a great prize, which our Waste Heroes will personally present to the winner's school in front of the whole class.

Who is the Meet & Greet for?

• For everyone who would like to salute our Waste Heroes
• For anyone wanting to take a closer look at a Waardlanden truck
• For anyone who wants to get behind the wheel of a collection truck for a while and ride along on a sweeper truck
• For anyone who wants to drop off a nice drawing or craft (and have a chance to win a fun prize!)
• For anyone wanting their photo taken with a Waardlanden truck or Waste Hero
• For anyone wishing to leave a written message and express their appreciation for our Waste Heroes
• For anyone with questions about waste prevention and separation
• For anyone who enjoys just stopping by

The Waste Heroes from team Education will be at the Meet & Greet moments this week to answer questions about preventing residual waste and separating raw materials at home even better.

Where and when are the meet & greet moments?

Monday 4 March, 15:00 - 16:30

Leerdam - Europaplein, next to the entrance to the shopping centre

Tuesday 5 March, 15:00 - 16:30

Gorinchem - Stadhuisplein, in front of the town hall

Wednesday 6 March, 15:00 - 16:30

Hornaar - Dirk IV square, near the schools

Thursday 7 March, 3 pm - 4.30 pm

Hardinxveld - Giessendam - Plein Houweningenweer

During the Meet & Greets, we take photo and video footage. Were images taken of you, but would you like us to stop using them? Then send an e-mail to info@waardlanden.nl to withdraw your consent.

Competition for youngest fans. Win a fun prize!

Our Waste Heroes really like it when you wave at them or give them the thumbs up when they come to pick up your rubbish or sweep your street. Want to do more? Then enter our competition! Make a nice drawing or craft something fun for the Waste Heroes.

Drop this off during the Meet & Greet for a chance to win a fun prize!

Don't forget to put your name, age, address, hometown and phone number on it.

Some rules do apply. Discuss them with your parents or guardians before joining the action.

• The campaign is aimed at all children from the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden.
• You choose what you make: a pretty drawing, a craft, a card, a photo, a written message, anything goes!
• Drop off can be done from 4 to 7 March 2024 during one of the Meet & Greets
• From all entries, our very own Waste Heroes will randomly draw 4 winners
• The prize winners will be announced by us on this website and on our social media channels.
• All prize winners will be notified personally
• The Waste Heroes visit each prize winner at their school. There they will hand over the prize won in front of the whole class in a fun way
• All submitted messages, drawings, photos and artworks may be published by us
• Photos and recordings may be made of the prize winners for use on this website and social media channels. When participating in this promotion, you automatically agree to this.

Children who cannot be at the Meet & Greet due to circumstances can e-mail a photo of the drawing or craft to afvalhelden@waardlanden.nl. Always include name, age, address, place of residence and phone number.

Need inspiration?

Our Waste Heroes are happy with everything they get. Children who are not sure what they can make will find useful tools on the Waste Heroes Week website to put the Waste Heroes in the spotlight.

• Go to the resources on the Waste Heroes Week website

And there's more!

In addition to the 4 Meet & Greets, there is extra attention for all employees.

• We appreciate by treating:
  • We kicked off the week with a delicious treat for all AfvalHelden on Monday morning 4 March, offered by the Waardlanden board.
  • On Tuesday 5 March, we will enjoy a delicious lunch together and all employees can pick up a nice gift
  • NVRD visits Ecopark's Waste Heroes on Wednesday 6 March with a treat
• We highlight some Waste Heroes online.
• We thank all litter pickers for their efforts with a nice postcard.
• On Wednesday 6 March, Reinie Melissant, mayor of the municipality of Gorinchem, thanked the Waste Heroes for their efforts.
• Board members take a half-day internship with the Waste Heroes and roll up their sleeves.

Meet our Heroes

During the Week of Waste Heroes, we would like to introduce some of our Waste Heroes to you: our Waardlanden colleagues. What does their day look like? What makes the work so much fun?

WasteHeld Herman Verhoef - All-round employee collection

Driver Herman has been working for our organisation for 30 years. He is responsible for the collection of various types of raw materials and waste, such as plastic packaging, metal packaging (cans) and drink cartons (pmd), vegetable, fruit, garden and food waste (VGF) and residual waste. 'The best part of my job is the contact with people and the freedom to do my job. The smiles of children when seeing the collection truck is the best appreciation for doing my job. But even a simple 'thank you' in appreciation makes my day. Every working day is different because I don't know what I will encounter during my routes. We work with time pressure every day. Each driver has his or her own route that has to be completed on time. Within our profession, you therefore have to be able to plan the work well and smartly, and if necessary you also have to be able to work together. If I, or one of my colleagues, cannot drive a route on time, we divide the work to ensure that all containers can still be emptied on time. Collegiality is therefore very important in our work.' Herman and his colleagues face quite a few challenges every day that can cause delays. 'We regularly find it difficult or impossible to empty containers because they are in places we cannot easily reach with the collection truck. Such as containers placed behind or between parked cars and lampposts stand. Driving through narrow streets and passages can also be quite a challenge at times.' As a driver, you have to be able to perform several tasks simultaneously. 'We operate several buttons to pick up, empty and press waste containers. During these operations, we look carefully in our cameras and mirrors so that no unsafe traffic situations arise.'

Waste Hero Frans Versteeg - Public Space Management employee

As a Public Space Management employee, Frans has been working in green spaces for five years and can be found daily on the sweeper in Gorinchem. 'My main task is to remove dirt, litter and leaves lying on the street. In places where there are many trees, we have the most work. When leaf season arrives, we work closely with the municipality of Gorinchem. Together, we ensure a clean and healthy living environment for residents and visitors to our beautiful region. We also do everything we can before and after events to clean up the environment. Think about the Summer Festivities, the arrival of St Nicholas, Carnival, the fair and the weekly market in the centre of Gorinchem. Doing this work requires patience. While cleaning the streets, you cannot drive too fast or too fast, because otherwise leaves and other debris will not pass through the squeegee  are sucked up and waste is left on the streets.

In our work, sweeping around obstacles is a challenge. This must be done precisely, otherwise there is a greater risk of damage. Our sweeping trucks operate in the municipalities of Gorinchem, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden. We all drive our own route within a municipality, but help each other complete the work on time if necessary. I value that collegiality enormously.'

Waste Hero Boaz - Truck mechanic

Boaz has been with our organisation for 10 years. As a truck mechanic, he makes sure all the equipment is in working order. 'My daily work mainly revolves around maintaining and repairing our trucks, performing Apk inspections and fixing any breakdowns on trucks in the district. The most common problem is brake pad wear. And sometimes the sensors that enable picking up and emptying containers do break down.'

Proper and timely maintenance of collection trucks prevents breakdowns and unnecessary idling of trucks. If there is a breakdown of a trolley, it is important to act safely, smartly and quickly. Boaz then has to make the right decision: can he repair safely and responsibly on site? Should he drive the vehicle back to the workshop with an emergency programme? Or should he send a replacement vehicle? 'It's all about switching quickly and still making the safest and smartest choice. That's what I like most about my job. Every day is different; one day I solve a breakdown and the next I'm mainly in the workshop to get the cars back into top condition.'

AfvalHeld Joop Koppenaal - Manager of environmental street Gorinchem

Joop is manager at the waste disposal site in Gorinchem and has been with Waardlanden for 40 years. As manager, he ensures that residents can separate and safely dispose of raw materials and bulky waste at the waste disposal site in Gorinchem. Together with his colleague Dirk-Jan, Joop does everything he can to keep the waste disposal site neat and tidy. Our work is very varied. We receive residents at the waste disposal site and advise them on the best route along the bins on our grounds. We check returned raw materials and containers, take in small chemical waste (KCA) and make sure full containers are changed on time.
The best part of this work is the direct contact and interaction with residents. Every resident who visits the waste disposal site has his or her own story. So you really have to be able to empathise with their situation. If there are questions about the separate collection of waste and raw materials, we are happy to explain and give appropriate advice.' Over the years, many  waste streams  added. At the environmental street, residents can currently offer 24 types of raw materials for reuse and recycling. 'It is important that all items go into the right container to avoid rejection.Among bulky waste, there are often still valuable raw materials.

If we separate raw materials and bulky waste properly, we will keep more raw materials and have less bulky waste to burn at high cost. Working with hazardous waste is a challenge in our work. Kca contains substances that are hazardous to health and the environment. When we take it in, we don't always know what substances it contains. It is therefore important to separate these substances in the correct and safest way possible as well.

Waste Hero Anna Vermaning - Customer contact centre employee

Anna works 4 year with our organisation. As a Customer Contact Centre employee, she helps residents with a variety of questions about the new policy and waste collection. 'I share information, solve problems and answer questions by phone and email. I also keep track of customer interactions and welcome residents and colleagues at reception. Our team consists of six colleagues and together we strive to provide customer-friendliness and assistance to residents in our catchment area. The best thing about my job is the variety. No day is the same, so my working day is never boring. If, at the end of a busy day, my colleagues and I have been able to help residents to our satisfaction and our efforts are appreciated, then my working day is a success. The biggest challenge of our job is that we always have to take into account different living situations to give each resident the right information. After all, to a resident living in the outlying area, we give different information than to a resident in the built-up area. That makes our work intensive.' The Customer Contact Centre works closely with the Planning Department to answer resident questions even faster. 'If a resident calls to ask whether their container is still being emptied, we quickly link up with our colleagues from planning. They see whether our driver is still on the way or has already been. This allows us to answer residents' questions properly.

I am proud that more and more women are choosing to work in the waste industry. Whether this is on the collection truck, the environmental street or in the office. A great development that shows there are equal opportunities for all.'                                                                                      

Waste and grit hero Saïd el Moubarik

Saïd is already meer than 20 years working within the waste industry. During the day, he works as a driver of Commercial Waste, but when  temperatures are around freezing and it is slippery outside, Saïd stands ready to grit.In the municipality of Gorinchem, Waardlanden is responsible for gritting the main roads in case of frost. While most residents are still lying sleeping or enjoying the weekend, Saïd gets into his gritter to ensure that residents of the municipality of Gorinchem can walk the streets safely.Our Waste Heroes not only clean the environment, but also ensure the safety of our residents!

Help out as a litter picker!

In our region, many residents voluntarily pick up litter lying around. Our Waste Heroes are very grateful to these residents for this. By picking up just one piece of litter a day, you not only help the Waste Heroes, but also the world. Even better: if 1 in 4 people in our country picked up a piece of litter every day, after just three days(!) we would not have enough litter to pick up together. Want to get involved in this during Waste Heroes Week? Take a rubbish bag(s) with you on a walk. With a pair of gloves and tongs (or a real prod or grabber), your hands won't get dirty. Make it a fun outing and go out with family, friends or local residents and share a photo of the rubbish you picked up with  #garbageheroes.

• Find out more about litter picking.

Show your appreciation

You too can express your appreciation. This can be done very simply in your neighbourhood or, for instance, at the waste disposal site: give our people the thumbs up, wait patiently in a side street so the collection truck can pass, or give a compliment. These small gestures make our AfvalHelden feel good, make residents more aware and thus bring a circular society another step closer.

• Get inspired, use the tips on the website of the Week of Waste Heroes!

We do it together

Everyone working towards a clean, beautiful and safe living environment naturally deserves a thumbs-up. Waardlanden thanks the many waste volunteers in our area. Whether you help collect waste paper for your association, regularly pick up litter or make a different kind of effort: you too are Waste Heroes. We also thank our planners, mechanics, customer service staff and all those people behind the scenes who make this wonderful and important work possible! We are proud of each other! 

Become a Waste Hero too?

Would you like to contribute to a beautiful, clean living environment in our region together with enthusiastic colleagues? Then consider a job at Waardlanden. We regularly have great vacancies. Keep an eye on the Working at Waardlanden in the eye. Who knows, you might soon be working as a Waste Hero too.

• Intro text: Using raw materials and products more economically and smartly requires something from all of us. It is important to reduce and even eliminate waste. That is why we are organising company visits from 11 to 15 March, the Week of the Circular Economy.

Using raw materials and products more economically and smartly requires something from all of us. It is important to reduce and even eliminate waste. Therefore, from 11 to 15 March, the Week of the Circular Economy, we organise company visits for residents in the municipalities of Gorinchem and Vijfheerenlanden.

Discover the recycling centres Opnieuw & Co, Kringloop Gorinchem and Het Goed and get an exclusive look behind the scenes! By encouraging re-use, we reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable world. But did you know that recycling shops also provide social employment? And are you curious about the journey your brought items take before they are back in the shop?

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the thrift store

You are welcome to dive behind the scenes and learn more about the world of reuse, recovery and recycling. Together, we can make the life cycle of products longer and have a positive impact on our planet. Join us and discover how you can contribute to a circular economy.

The programme

Wednesday morning 13 March from 10.00 - 11.30 a.m.
Tour of the warehouse and workshop of Again & Co Leerdam at Techniekweg 5. You can sign up at the shop (in advance or on the day itself).

Wednesday 13 March from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Varied programme at Recycling Gorinchem on Boezem 1. Customers and volunteers will show how they reuse raw materials in various demonstrations in the shop. There will also be a To Good To Throw corner (free of charge). Behind-the-scenes tours will start at 10am and 2pm. You can register in the shop or in advance by e-mail info@kringloopgrinchem.nl.

Thursday 14 March from 1 pm - 2 pm / 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm / 4 pm - 5 pm
Three behind-the-scenes tours at Het Goed Gorinchem At Spijksedijk 28A.
You can check in on the day at the till in the shop.

• Intro text: In Hardinxveld-Giessendam municipality, alderman Jan Nederveen will take over the seat on the board from alderman Arjan Meerkerk. This completes the new composition of the board. The roles on the board have also been redistributed.

In Hardinxveld-Giessendam municipality, alderman Jan Nederveen will take over the seat on the board from alderman Arjan Meerkerk. This completes the new composition of the board.

Our organisation is a partnership of the municipalities of Gorinchem, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Molenlanden and Vijfheerenlanden. The board consists of an alderman from each of these municipalities.

In January, alderman Jan Nederveen took over the tasks for environment and sustainability from alderman Arjan Meerkerk. Therefore, he now also takes over his seat on the board. On Monday 26 February, the first formal board meeting took place in this renewed composition. During this meeting, the roles on the board were also divided. The new division of roles is as follows:

• Chairman: Arco Bikker, alderman municipality of Molenlanden
• Vice-chairman/portfolio holder Implementation: Mark de Boer, alderman municipality of Gorinchem
• Finance/ICT/other business portfolio holder: Ton van Maanen, alderman Vijfheerenlanden municipality
• Personnel portfolio holder: Jan Nederveen, alderman of the municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam

(📷 Studio Retouched)

Bestuur Waardlanden: alderman Mark de Boer, alderman Ton van Maanen, alderman Arco Bikker and alderman Jan Nederveen