Separating Waste in Your Municipality

The municipality decides how household waste is collected from your address. In some places, wheelie bins are provided at your home; elsewhere, you may need to use an underground container. The rules for waste separation differ from one municipality to another. Therefore, look up the waste calendar or waste guide (afvalwijzer) for your own address.

Many municipalities collect paper, glass, plastic, and vegetable, fruit and garden waste separately. Residual waste consists of everything that does not belong in another bin. If you are unsure, consult the local waste guide. Packaging made from several materials cannot always be placed in the bin you might initially choose. For example, an empty bottle usually belongs in the glass container, while a drinking glass often does not. The local instructions help prevent such mistakes.

Batteries, medicines and electrical appliances require special attention. A broken electrical appliance generally does not go in the regular residual waste. Find out where you can hand it in; you can often take unused medicines to a pharmacy (apotheek). Large items, such as an old wardrobe, should be brought to a recycling centre (milieustraat) or arranged for collection according to the municipality's regulations. Sometimes, there is a charge for this.

Separating waste makes it possible to reuse materials and can reduce pollution. Never place a bag next to a full container, as this dirties the street and may attract vermin. Find another permitted location or report that the container is full. In this way, the neighbourhood remains clean for everyone who lives there.