Zaanstad residents face rising waste costs: Have your say on new collection options
Zaanstad residents could see their waste disposal levy rise by €50 to €70 annually due to increased incineration costs. The municipality is hosting neighborhood meetings to discuss alternatives, including discounts for recycling and new collection methods. Share your opinion before the plan is finalized.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Current waste incineration levy | €40.58 per ton (2026) |
| Future waste incineration levy | €113 per ton by 2035 |
| Annual cost increase for residents | €50 to €70 per year (unless waste volume decreases) |
| Residual waste per household | 195 kg (Zaanstad) vs. 100 kg (26% of Dutch municipalities) |
| Number of neighborhood meetings | 11 (March–April 2026) |
| Meeting time | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Online participation | Zaanstad waste reduction survey |
| Decision timeline | Municipal council review after summer 2026 |
The municipality of Zaanstad is responsible for local waste management policies, including collection systems and resident engagement. As part of national environmental goals, it must adapt to rising waste incineration levies set by the Dutch government while ensuring sustainable and cost-effective solutions for its citizens.
Read the full translated article below
Municipality to discuss waste management with residents
The Dutch government is significantly increasing the levy on waste incineration in the coming years. This year, the rate per ton of incinerated waste is €40.58, rising to €113 by 2035. This means the waste disposal levy for residents will increase by €50 to €70 per year, unless the amount of incinerated waste decreases. Over the coming weeks, the municipality will visit neighborhoods to discuss options with residents. They can also share their opinions online. The ideas from residents will be incorporated into the new raw materials plan, which will be reviewed by the municipal council after the summer. In the coming weeks, 11 meetings will be held in various neighborhoods (details below). Residents can also find information and indicate their waste collection preferences at: How do we reduce residual waste in Zaanstad? – Zaanstad
Several waste collection options presented to residents
In brief, the options are as follows:
Option 1: No changes are made; the rising costs are passed on in the waste disposal levy, increasing it by €50 to €70 per year.
Option 2: Underground residual waste containers in low-rise neighborhoods will be removed. The container and waste bin at home currently designated for plastic, cans, and drink cartons (pbd) will revert to a gray container, where both residual waste and pbd can be collected. In the underground waste containers in high-rise areas, residual waste and pbd will also be collected together. The waste streams will be separated by the waste processor upon arrival (post-separation).
Option 3: Similar to Option 2, but residents can voluntarily choose a discount (recycling choice). The less waste they present, the higher the discount on the waste disposal levy.
Option 4: Similar to Option 1, but a recycling rate will be introduced for all households. This means the waste disposal levy will consist of a fixed portion and a variable portion. The latter is based on the amount of residual waste collected by a household. The more residual waste, the higher the costs.
Regardless of residents' preferences, one change will definitely take place. In the coming years, containers for organic waste (gft/e) will be installed in apartment buildings (high-rise). The municipality hopes that residents of apartment buildings will also attend the meetings to discuss how the municipality can make it easier to separate residual waste and organic waste.
High levels of residual waste in Zaanstad
The increase in the levy on waste incineration will hit Zaanstad hard, as the city still collects a high amount of residual waste per household. In the Netherlands, 26% of municipalities collect less than 100 kilograms of residual waste per household per year. In Zaanstad, this figure is 195 kilograms*. Zaanse residual waste often still contains valuable raw materials, such as organic waste, paper, textiles, and glass. During the meetings, there will be opportunities to ask questions about waste separation and receive tips.
Neighborhood meetings
The waste meetings will take place every evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and are open to all residents. Residents do not need to wait for the meeting in their own neighborhood. However, residents of neighborhoods with different waste collection systems, such as Saendelft and Willis, are advised to attend the meeting for their area, as waste is collected differently there.
The feedback collected from residents will be presented to the municipal council, scheduled for after the summer vacation.
*Figures from 2024.