Vegetables, Fruit, and Yard Waste (GFT)
Organic waste is collected from your home in the bin. The bin will be emptied at your home on the collection day for your address. Collection routes begin daily at 7:00 a.m. Place the bin at the designated collection spot with the handle facing the street.
Collection Days in the Waste Service App
Or check your pickup days using the Waste Management app. With the free Waste Management app, you’ll always have your waste collection calendar at your fingertips. View your pickup days, receive reminders, and easily manage waste-related matters, such as scheduling a bulky waste pickup or requesting a dumpster or waste pass. Download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
What can be put in the organic waste bin?
- meat and fish scraps
- fruit and vegetable scraps and potato peels
- peanut and nut shells and eggshells
- bread
- cooked leftovers
- leaves and flowers
- small pruning and yard waste
- mowed grass
- weed
- (aquatic) plants
- manure mixed with straw from small pets (guinea pigs, rabbits)
- Loose tea, tea bags, coffee grounds, coffee filters, coffee pods
Not sure if something belongs in the organic waste bin? Look it up in the waste sorting guide.
Do you have yard trimmings? Submit a request online to have your yard trimmings picked up. For more information, visit our yard trimmings page.
What shouldn't be put in the organic waste bin?
- axis
- turf
- hair (human/animal)
- wood/scrap wood
- charcoal
- cat litter pellets
- matches
- diapers
- oasis (floral foam for plants and flower arrangements)
- plastic trash can liners
- vacuum cleaner bags and their contents
- birdcage sand
- chewing gum
- skewers
- sand
- earth
What happens to it?
Properly sorted organic waste can be recycled very effectively. For example, it can be turned into compost. You can then use this compost in your garden as fertilizer, which will help your plants grow better. Do not put any other types of waste in with the organic waste, because that could result in the entire load being rejected for recycling by the garbage truck. The load would then end up in the incinerator, which would be a shame.
Additional organic waste bin
Do you have a 240-liter organic waste bin, but is that not enough for you? If so, request a free additional 240-liter organic waste bin through the Afvalservice Breda portal or the Afvalservice app.
Tips for Hot Weather
- Place your container in the shade as much as possible
- Place meat or fish scraps in a compostable bag (available at the supermarket or home goods store)
- Don't have a compost bag handy? Wrap your food scraps in a thin layer of newspaper or paper towels.
- Having trouble with flies? Hang something with a fresh or strong scent on the trash can, such as an air freshener, a toilet deodorizer, or a sachet of lavender or other Provençal herbs. Or hang an old pair of pantyhose filled with mothballs in your trash can. Flies don’t like that.
- Place a piece of newspaper at the bottom of the container to keep the bottom dry and clean
- Clean the container regularly with hot water and green soap or a splash of vinegar
Maggots after all?
- Place a branch of Hedera (a type of ivy) in the container. It is toxic to maggots.
- Regularly sprinkle a handful of salt or lime into the container to dry out the maggots. Or spray the container with vinegar.
- Place a stick between the lid and the container to allow air to circulate; this will keep the maggots at the bottom of the container
Tips for Frosty Weather
- Place your container in a sheltered spot (out of the wind) and don't put it out on the street until the next morning
- Place a stick between the lid and the container so it doesn't freeze shut
- Place a newspaper at the bottom to catch any moisture
- Use a sturdy stick to loosen the organic waste before placing the container by the roadside.
- Put as little wet waste as possible in the organic waste bin
- Do not compact the waste