Waste in Arnhem will be collected by ROVA from July 2027

From July 1, 2027, the Municipality of Arnhem plans to transfer household waste collection to ROVA, a 100% public organization. This means Arnhem will become a co-owner of this organization. The switch is necessary because the current collector, PreZero, has announced it will stop.

Municipality chooses public service

From 2027, Arnhem wants to become a co-owner of ROVA by purchasing shares worth approximately 5.9 million euros. This will bring waste collection fully under public responsibility again. Research shows that carrying out waste collection entirely by the municipality would be more expensive, and re-tendering is no longer possible. The municipal council now has the opportunity to express wishes or objections to the draft decision. At the beginning of 2026, the executive board will then make a final decision.

Bob Roelofs, alderman for Public Space and Waste: “We consciously choose a public solution that offers peace and certainty. For residents, little will change, but for the city, this is an important step: retaining knowledge and people, with a strong public organization as a partner.”

Experienced waste collector

ROVA is an experienced public service provider that already handles waste collection for 23 other municipalities. The company operates without profit motive and focuses on sustainability, service, and quality. ROVA has introduced the concept of Reverse Collection, as applied in Arnhem. In Reverse Collection, raw materials and substances are collected that can still be reused.

In cooperation with ROVA, a new regional organization is being set up for Arnhem. In any case, the coming years will build as much as possible on the current practice and location of PreZero in Duiven. PreZero staff will also transfer to the new organization.

New name on the garbage trucks

For residents of Arnhem, little will change for now. The way waste is collected remains largely the same. Containers and underground collection points remain in use, and the waste disposal station remains available. However, in 2027, a new name will appear on the garbage trucks.

About ROVA

ROVA was founded in 1996 and provides waste collection, raw materials management, and public space management for municipalities in regions including Zwolle, Amersfoort, and Achterhoek. The company values sustainability and service highly and focuses on innovation, circular economy, and emission-free services.