The Dutch annually produce about 490 kilograms of waste per person, more than half of which is handed in sorted. We produce this waste not only at home, but also in the workplace. Therefore, waste management is a hot topic for companies and organizations. Strict waste separation is good for the environment and can save costs. 

After all, it is more economical to dispose of separated waste than residual waste.

Sorting waste has several benefits:

• Environmental protection: It reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators. 

• Resource conservation:Separated waste can be recycled and reused, reducing the demand for new raw materials. 

• Energy conservation: Recycling often costs less energy than producing new materials.

• Cost efficiency: For businesses and municipalities, waste segregation can reduce waste disposal costs.

If your business handles a variety of waste types, multiple containers are essential. Often these containers are placed outside, which raises specific concerns:

By considering these factors, you will create an effective and safe waste management system that fits your company's needs.

So sorting commercial waste is mandatory in the Netherlands, but how do you go about it? Color codes make it easy to separate waste and determine which type of waste belongs in which container. Below is an overview of the different container colors and what they are used for.

Paper and cardboard waste is the most common waste type for businesses. Did you know that paper makes up 80% of office waste? Used paper and cardboard are the main raw material for new paper and cardboard. 

But don't forget to destroy confidential documents, before throwing it away.

What is allowed in a paper container:

• (News)papers

• Magazines

• Envelopes

• Cardboard boxes (folded flat)

Sorting plastic, or plastic waste, is fortunately already a routine for many. PMD stands for plastic, metal and drinking cartons. Separating PDM is important for recycling and reducing waste that ends up in landfills.

What is allowed in a PMD container:

• Plastic bottles and containers

• Cans and canned goods

• Milk and juice containers

• Styrofoam

Throw glass in the yellow container to recycle it. Glass can be reused indefinitely. New glass containers already consist of 50 to 80% recycled glass! Refractory glass, panes, crystal, and ceramics do not belong in the glass container because they have a different composition.

What is allowed in a glass container:

• Glass bottles (without cap)

• Jars 

• Glass vases

Green containers are for fruit, vegetable, and garden (VGF in Dutch) waste. Organic residue from restaurants and flowers/plants may also be put in this container. Separate collection is important: organic waste can be made into compost and biogas.

What is allowed in a VGF container:

• Peels and remains of fruit and vegetables 

• Coffee grounds and tea bags

• Garden waste (pruning waste) 

For waste that doesn't fit in the other containers, there is the residual waste container. This is often much less than you think. Research shows that 70% of residual waste still contains valuable, separable raw materials. Residual waste includes soiled paper (oil, grease), aluminum foil, electrical wiring and light bulbs, among others.

What is allowed in a residual waste container:

• Anything that does not fit into the above categories