Since July 1, 2025, companies with a contract with a waste company are no longer allowed to place their waste in loose garbage bags on the street. They must now use roll containers (bins) or have their waste collected behind the front door. About half a year after the introduction of this measure, we see clearly less waste nuisance in the city center.
Alderman Hester van Buren (Waste and Cleaning): Loose garbage bags are the cause of much litter, especially in the busy areas of the city center. It is good to note that this measure immediately reduces waste nuisance in public spaces. This first evaluation strengthens our decision to also stop the collection of loose garbage bags with household waste. Together with entrepreneurs and residents, we ensure a cleaner city.”
Inspections
Since the introduction of the measure, we have conducted random inspections in shopping areas in the city center. We check whether loose bags of business waste are still being placed, whether entrepreneurs label their containers with address stickers (for enforcement), and whether containers are placed correctly and at the right time.
Too full or left on the street too long
Since August, we have seen almost no loose bags on the street. However, containers are sometimes still overfilled or a garbage bag is placed next to a container that no longer fits. Many containers also remain on the street too long after the waste has been collected.
Warning
Our enforcement officers have issued 112 warnings and several dozen fines. There is a processing time for the fines. Therefore, the total number of fines imposed will eventually be slightly higher. Most warnings and fines were given for overfilled and open containers, and for bags placed next to a full container.
Ghost bins
During our inspections, we also saw many ghost bins on the street: bins whose owners cannot be identified. We remove these bins. This also makes public spaces cleaner.