Less residual waste, quite normal in Zeewolde

Of every three bags of residual waste in Zeewolde, only one is actually waste. This is a missed opportunity for both the environment and the wallet, as burning waste is becoming more expensive. Proper sorting is essential. But how do we motivate the residents of Zeewolde to separate waste even better? And how do we make it easier? We set out to investigate, armed with… a question about chocolate sprinkles! Because sometimes small things can spark a conversation about big changes.

From soccer field to supermarket

Tailored participation

We organized various initiatives and spoke with residents about waste separation. At the football club, we challenged people with a waste quiz. In the supermarket, we asked if people wanted a reward for good behavior. And in the neighborhood, we went door to door with a ‘waste bag bingo.’ This accessible approach provided valuable insights into the attitudes and habits of Zeewolde residents.

Normally, I always walk past these kinds of interviews.
aha-moments

Awareness in action

Our approach created real ‘aha’ moments for the residents. People in Zeewolde realized they were already separating waste well, but also discovered new opportunities. The waste bag bingo, in particular, opened eyes: people saw firsthand what was still in their residual waste that could be recycled. This sparked enthusiastic responses and increased awareness of the importance of proper waste separation.

Now that I see this, the penny drops!
A glimpse behind the front door

Waste separation in practice

We took a look inside Zeewolde households to see how residents separate their waste at home. These visits provided us with valuable insights into the daily practice of waste separation. We discovered creative solutions, heard about challenges, and learned from the experiences of the residents. A special moment was our visit to Alderman Ernst Bron. In an open and candid video, he showed how he and his family separate waste, the challenges they face, and shared useful tips.

Bekijk hier de video van Wethouder Ernst Bron
We sort your plastic, cans, and drink cartons by type. This way, plastic packaging becomes new shampoo bottles, cans are turned into new cans, and drink cartons are used to make things like roof tiles.
From idea to action

Together for a cleaner Zeewolde