Residents of the city center of Alkmaar complain that they cannot dispose of their waste due to overfull containers. Due to work on the Laat, these are emptied less well, because garbage trucks cannot reach them. Waste manager HVC does not recognize the problem and says there is enough space in the bins. Nevertheless, residents feel compelled to put their waste on the street. “I’m not going to keep a smelly bag in a hot house,” says local resident Esmee.
The enjoyment of living in the center of Alkmaar has recently been disrupted for many residents in the center by wandering waste and waste next to containers, resulting in a major nuisance for seagulls. “I think the seagulls are terrible, they are everywhere. Every morning I wake up to the screaming of those animals and garbage is everywhere on the street,” says an irritated Esmee, who does not want to be called by her last name.
Activities
In the center of Alkmaar, work has already been going on for several months for the project of redesigning the New Late West going on. Residents are now used to adapting to the open road, closed alleys and the sounds of digging and drilling. In addition, the roads to the main streets – Breedstraat and Laat – are partly inaccessible.
“Every morning I wake up to the seagulls screaming and throwing garbage on the street”
This makes it an obstacle for garbage trucks to empty the waste containers in this area. To the annoyance of some residents: “I find it very annoying for the street, but I also put a bag next to the container this morning because the container does not open. This happens more often, I have experienced it four times in the past two weeks” , says Esme.
Uncertainty
According to waste manager HVC Alkmaar, nine reports were received from the center of Alkmaar last week about dumping and full containers. But HVC indicates that the containers can be used normally. The waste management does say: “Residents are dependent on their waste card and therefore cannot dispose of their waste everywhere.”
Two residents who wish to remain anonymous indicate that the waste problem is indeed an issue. “At the moment I can only throw my waste away in one container, and it is full. I have not had to throw my waste away yet, but will have to do so soon and run into this problem,” said a female resident.
A gentleman who lives near the Grote Kerk indicates that he can throw away his waste in his own neighbourhood. “But at the Koffiemolen on the Ritsevoort, there it is really a mess,” he explains. “I always see that when I walk by.” Esmee also notices the waste in the city centre. “It’s a terrible mess there.”
Impact
HVC recognizes that the redesign of De Laat has had an impact and sees that throwing away waste is now more difficult. “It causes temporary inconvenience for residents. But also for us, we can empty the underground containers much less easily,” says policy advisor Susan Baks of HVC.
For example, emptying the containers on Breedstraat would be a major challenge at the moment, because the normal route is not accessible at the moment. “Emptying the containers at this location was successful the day before yesterday,” says Baks. “This went with a lot of effort because the collection vehicle has to drive into Breedstraat via Schoutentstraat and drive backwards, which is actually impossible due to parked bicycles and cars. You can’t make the right turn here.”
“People who have a waste pass that is suitable for the Breedstraat can now also go to the Laat”
Containers not full
The figures sent by HVC show that the so-called filling levels of the containers on the Laat and the Breedstraat were not full last week. Baks indicates that the residual waste containers on Breedstraat were used more intensively yesterday. “The filling level of the containers was 46 percent and 24 percent at that time. We will therefore try to empty the containers again on Saturday morning.”
Baks: “The relevant residual waste containers in the Breedstraat were indeed not emptied for a week, but they were not full. They are normally emptied on Saturday and Wednesday, but are not always full. We checked this, they were for the moment the day before yesterday. of empty for 78% and 16% filled.”
Extra waste containers
The municipality of Alkmaar says it has contacted HVC, which indicates that it is aware of the waste problem in the city centre. The waste collection would also be scheduled for this week. “Extra waste containers have been placed that residents can move to,” said communication officer Manon Kamp.
The extra container has been placed near the C&A by the project leader of the redevelopment of De Laat. “It is up to the municipality to ensure good communication about this. People who have a waste pass that is suitable for the containers on Breedstraat can now also visit De Laat, they will receive a letter about this next week,” concludes Baks.
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