Monday Morning Networking - American School of the Hague

� Grass, plant clippings, weeds, leaves
� Soil and potting compost
You cannot put these items in the green bin:
� Plastic, or waxed cardboard or cartons
� Glass, metal, paper
� Meat and bones, even when cooked
� Deep fried fats
� Diapers, cat/dog litter
Recycling
Although not collected, glass, paper and plastic are all recyclable and many supermarkets
(such as Albert Heijn) and neighborhood areas (such as near the Sterrenbad (swimming
pool) have recycling points with bins. Glass should be carefully separated into clear (wit),
brown (bruin) and green (groen) bins. Regular paper means newspapers, flyers, computer
paper, most wrapping paper, flattened cardboard and even old telephone books. Do not
put firm, glossy or metallic paper or staples into the paper-recycling bin if you can help it.
It is also wise not to put papers with personal information printed on them in the bins. In
Den Haag, there is also a municipal paper pick-up day once a month - check the
calendar. Most plastic can be recycled, except for Styrofoam and chip/crisp packets.
Note: In some areas paper & cardboard ARE collected. These items are picked up every
other week and are placed in the blue container.
To reduce paper waste, you can get a sticker for your mailbox from the Gemeente, or at
the MMN meetings at the ABF, which says “Nee / Nee” or “Nee / Ja”, meaning no to junk
mail and no to local newspapers, or no to junk mail and yes to local newspapers.
Many plastic and glass bottles have a deposit (statiegeld), which is paid upon purchase
and given back upon return. Large plastic soda/water bottles and 0.3 liter glass beer
bottles have this deposit on them, and should be returned at the supermarket or wine
store. Larger supermarkets have machines for receiving the bottles and print out a credit
slip for you to redeem at the checkout when you have finished. Some supermarkets also
have a place where you can donate the credit slips to charity. Smaller soda or water
bottles, made from softer plastic, and beer bottles that are not .3 liter size are not
returned for a deposit and can be recycled in the appropriate bins.
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