Conscious waste separation helps: less pollution and prevention of higher costs

To help residents sort their waste, Avri went out into Beneden-Leeuwen last Wednesday (April 23). During this preliminary round, they checked the containers for plastic, metal, and beverage cartons (PMD) and provided residents with additional guidance when needed.

Contaminated waste

Waste becomes contaminated if it contains items that don’t belong there, such as electronic devices or hard plastic. These items do not belong in the PMD waste stream but should be taken to the recycling center.

During the pilot phase, Avri inspected various PMD bins. If a bin contained anything that didn’t belong in the PMD waste, residents received a label on their bin. They then found a white or red Map in their mailbox Map tips and explanations. Some residents also came to see what Avri was doing, which led to productive conversations. Alderman Jan Slootweg, who helped with the preliminary round: “We’ve noticed that people are doing their best, but sometimes they don’t know exactly what belongs in the PMD waste. By talking to them, we can provide explanations and raise awareness.”
Some residents indicated that this initiative made it clearer to them how best to sort their waste.

Waste Guide: A Handy Resource

Properly sorting waste isn’t always easy. That’s why Avri has developed the Mini Waste Guide—a handy guide to help you sort your waste. You can find the Waste Guide on Avri’s website.

Divorce to avoid higher costs

Properly sorting waste is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet. If there is too much incorrect waste in the PMD container, it cannot be recycled. The waste is then rejected, which results in additional costs. These costs are ultimately passed on to residents through their waste collection fees. When residents sort their waste properly, it helps Avri keep costs down. In addition, the waste can be reused to make new products.