Collection containers for household waste in Wassenaar

We conduct extensive research into the possible locations for underground collection containers. We take technical, spatial and social aspects into account, which are laid down in our "Policy Rules for choosing the location of collection facilities" (included as an appendix at the bottom of this web page). In short, our research consists of the following steps: 

1. We first check for the presence of cables, pipes and sewage pipes in the ground. In fact, in most places, many cables and pipes are present. As a result, many of the placement options are discarded.
2. Then, for the remaining options, we look at what the situation is above ground. For example, the garbage truck may not stop to empty on a 50-way road and the container may not be lifted over a bike path or over parked cars. Based on this, again, some of the possibilities fall off.
3. Finally, we weigh various social interests to arrive at the final location proposal. For example, we pay attention to walking distance (especially for the residual waste containers), accessibility for users and for the collection service, traffic safety, ownership of the land and sufficient distance between a container and a property boundary or house.

In some cases, the final balancing act is still very difficult. In that case, the general interest of efficient, effective and hygienic collection takes precedence over possible individual disadvantages that might arise, such as visibility or traffic disruption.

We have identified preliminary sites based on our site and soil survey as well as the placement guidelines. These can be found in the draft decision (see attachments at the bottom of this webpage). Interested parties had until September 12, 2025 to submit their views on the draft decision and propose an alternative location. The municipality will process the comments and assess the suitability of the alternative locations. Once this has been done, the locations will be finally determined in the final decision. 

No, you don't have to. Residents of addresses that will soon be connected to a residual waste container have received a letter. In addition, other local residents near the future container location have also received a letter because we want to inform them of a change in their nearby neighborhood. 

In 2019, the City Council decided that the collection of household residual waste from high-rise buildings will increasingly be done with an underground collection container. The use of underground containers ensures that we can keep our waste facilities in good order now and in the future. It ensures that residents can offer their waste separately and that the waste collector and processor can continue to do their work optimally. Finally, the use of underground containers helps ensure that we can (continue to) meet the national guidelines for waste separation and prevention.

Textile containers are usually placed above ground to better protect textiles from moisture. Underground textiles are more likely to become damp, such as from condensation or water seeping into the container. Damp textiles are no longer suitable for reuse or recycling. Placement above ground keeps the collected textiles dry and of good quality.

No, companies must bear Health themselves for the disposal of their waste, for example, through a contract with a commercial party. 

No, within the current policy the provision of waste by means of a fixed contribution is included in the waste charges, paying per emptying is therefore not an issue.

No, only residents of high-rise and upstairs apartments or selected addresses will soon be able to dispose of their residual waste in the underground containers. They will receive an access pass with which they can open the container. 

Residents of ground-level homes (or homes with space for a mini-container) will continue to dispose of their residual waste and/or raw materials in the manner to which they are accustomed. A ground-level dwelling is one that has direct access at street level.
 

These facilities are particularly deployed at high-rise buildings and in neighborhoods where the use of mini-containers is less feasible (such as in the downtown area, where loose garbage bags are currently still collected).

In principle, all high-rise and upper dwellings will be connected to an underground residual waste container. In exceptional cases, ground-level homes may also be connected to this. In each draft decision (and subsequently in each final decision) we have included an overview of the households that will be connected to a residual waste container at the relevant location. When the containers are placed, the households concerned will receive a message from us explaining this new method of residual waste collection. 

Residents who will be using the containers will receive a pass to open the container. This ensures that they can only be used by the designated households. The affected households will receive notice and an explanation of how to use them by then.

Yes, in principle, your residential address will also be added on other underground containers located near your residential address. This allows you to choose which underground container is most on your route.

We try to limit the walking distance to the underground container as much as possible for users. We adhere to a maximum walking distance of 250 meters to an underground residual waste container. For high-rise and stacked buildings, we measure this from the nearest entrance to the residential complex. 

The insertion column of the container is level and barrier-free. Around the container we provide sufficient free space so that wheelchair users, among others, have sufficient room to move around. Residents can use their waste pass to take out the waste seven days a week at any time. This can also be done in smaller quantities and/or with smaller garbage bags. Some residents use their mobility scooters or walkers to put the garbage bag on, so it does not have to be lifted. Also, the containers can be opened by anyone, so it is also possible, for example, for home help, home care or visitors to dispose of the trash.

Each container is equipped with a fill gauge that indicates when the container is full enough to be emptied. Thus, the waste collector knows at which location which container(s) need to be emptied. Based on the data, a container can be emptied more or less often than other containers. Thus, there is no standard collection time.

The new underground residual waste container has an insert column containing a rotating drum, which is fitted with rubber dampers. These largely dampen the noise that can occur when someone throws something away. Also, the new paper and glass containers are now more soundproof compared to the older models.

Unfortunately, the noise generated when emptying underground containers is difficult to prevent. Therefore, we try to limit the number of emptying occasions. 

If we notice that a container smells badly, we make sure to clean it. Residents can also report a smelly container themselves through Avalex's website or app. 

We empty the container before it is completely full to prevent trash from being placed next to it. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that no garbage is placed next to the containers at all. If this happens it causes a great annoyance, both for residents and for the municipality. However, these concerns are not a reason for us to abandon the deployment of underground containers. Therefore, we have taken steps in neighborhoods where we have already placed underground containers. For example, we visit the location of the container(s) more often than just during the emptying time to check if there is garbage next to them. If there is waste next to it, we remove it. If it happens more often, we hand out fines. It helps us if residents report waste or bulky waste next to a container via the Avalex app or website.

Each container is equipped with a fill rate meter, which gives us a signal when the container is full earlier than planned. Based on this data, a container can be emptied more often or earlier. This prevents waste next to the containers as much as possible. Should there still be waste next to the container, the field service will remove it in time.

Trash placed next to containers is usually trash that does not fit in the disposable bin. With that, it is mostly larger pieces of trash that have been illegally dumped and not trash that attracts animals (such as food scraps). 

Underground containers are nowadays a normal part of the streetscape in more and more municipalities. We are not aware of any research showing that the presence of an underground container directly leads to a decrease in value of surrounding homes.

Yes. Because the containers must be easily accessible to users and the collection service, it is almost impossible to place them so that no nearby residents can see them. Where possible, we place the container as far away from homes as possible, without sacrificing acceptable walking distance and accessibility. Finally, it contributes to social control when a container is placed (somewhat) in plain sight. 

Yes. While this is not our preference, we may need to place the container(s) in a parking space. We will only do this if there is no suitable alternative available. If a parking space disappears, our traffic department will investigate whether a parking space can be restored nearby.  

Yes. While it is always our preference to place in paved areas, we may need to place the container(s) in the location of a tree or elsewhere in public green space. We only do this if there is no suitable alternative available. If a tree or other greenery disappears, we look to move it or compensate elsewhere in the neighborhood.

No. The deployment of (underground) collection containers ensures that household residual waste and reusable raw materials are collected at a central location in the neighborhood instead of door-to-door or spread over a few locations in one street. Although the use of (underground) collection containers may not have a direct effect on the number of driving moments of the collection vehicles, it does ensure that the vehicles spend less time per street because there are fewer households that still offer their residual waste individually. It also ensures fewer stopping and accelerating movements of the collection vehicle. In addition, waste collector Avalex has the ambition to collect completely emission-free household waste by 2030. For example, by using electric collection vehicles. Placing underground containers therefore does not increase traffic pressure or environmental impact. 

We ensure that there is no damage to nearby parked cars when we place an (underground) container. For example, by temporarily prohibiting parking during the work. After the container has been placed, we take any necessary measures to arrange the space around the container in such a way that no damage can occur to nearby parked cars during use and during emptying of the container.