The Dutch will have produced less waste in 2021. Last year, an average of 506 kilos of household waste was collected per inhabitant, in 2020 it was still 523 kilos per inhabitant. As a result, the amount of waste per inhabitant decreased by three percent. Statistics Netherlands reports this on Thursday, based on figures on waste collected from households and waste that has been taken to recycling centers.
In particular, the quantities of wood, rubble, soil and bulky waste from the garden decreased again in 2020 after a significant increase. In the first corona year, as a result of the lockdowns and corona measures, more work was done in the garden and a relatively large number of houses were renovated or cleaned up. As a result, more Dutch people visited the recycling center. In 2021, when the measures were partly lifted, there was a decrease in the amount of bulky waste collected.
The amount of residual waste also decreased last year. This is unsorted waste that is thrown away in the gray wheelie bin or in garbage bags. According to the statistical office, this is partly due to the fact that “several municipalities” have taken measures to promote waste separation. They do this, for example, by collecting residual waste less often, and the waste that a municipality wants to encourage to separate more often. Other measures include lowering the rates for separated waste streams and increasing the costs for residual waste.
However, more vegetable, fruit and garden waste (VGF) was collected in 2021: an average of 97 kilograms per inhabitant. That is almost the same as in peak year 1997, when an average of 98 kilograms of organic waste was collected per inhabitant. According to Statistics Netherlands, various incentives – such as municipal programs – ensure that organic waste is collected separately more often.