Waste collection points in Maastricht
Maastricht wants to manage waste more efficiently. Together, we can reduce waste and increase reuse. That's why we're changing the way household waste is collected, step by step. Across many neighbourhoods, local waste collection points will be introduced, featuring underground containers for general (residual) waste.
If you live in a flat or apartment building, waste collection points will also include containers for food waste, such as fruit, vegetables and food leftovers. Existing sorting stations (milieuperrons) will remain in place; waste collection points will be introduced in addition to these.
By separating waste more effectively, we can reduce the amount of residual waste. That's good for the environment – and for your wallet. Want to find out where a collection point will be located near you? Visit your neighbourhood's project page.
Information about your neighbourhood
Waste collection points will be introduced neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood's project page will include:
- locations of waste collection points
- the rollout schedule
- the latest project updates.
When waste collection points are about to be installed in your neighbourhood, you will receive a letter with more information. A link to your neighbourhood's project page will also be added here.
View the information for your neighbourhood
What’s changing?
Underground containers for residual waste
In most neighbourhoods, residual waste will no longer be collected in bags. Instead, you'll take it to an underground container at a nearby waste collection point.
This means the familiar red-and-white waste bags will be phased out.
How it will work
- You can take your residual waste to a nearby container whenever it suits you.
- You open the container using your plastic waste disposal pass (milieupas).
- Each time you use the container, you pay the same as you would for one 50-litre red-and-white residual waste bag.
- Charges are calculated and billed annually via BsGW.
- You can use standard rubbish bags of up to 60 litres.
What this means for you
- No more need to buy designated waste bags.
- You choose when to dispose of your waste.
- The better you separate your waste, the less residual waste you'll have.
Better sorting = less residual waste = lower costs
Make sure you have a plastic waste disposal pass
You need a plastic waste disposal pass (milieupas) to open the containers. The digital pass in the MilieuApp cannot be used for this.
Don't have a plastic waste disposal pass yet?
New food waste containers for flats and apartments
If you live in a flat or apartment building, your waste collection point will also have a dedicated container for food waste.
How it will work
- Your current 25-litre food waste caddy will no longer be emptied, but you can still use it to collect food waste at home.
- You take your food waste to the shared container near your apartment building.
- The container is available 24 hours a day.
- You open the container using your plastic waste disposal pass (milieupas).
- There is no charge for disposing of food waste.
Why this change is being made
National guidelines on safe working require waste collection work to be made less physically demanding. When collecting household waste, crews often have to lift heavy bags or food waste caddies, which puts a lot of strain on their bodies.
Using waste collection points means more of the work can be done with machinery and equipment. This means staff have to lift less, helping them stay healthy and continue doing their work for longer.
The new containers also make it easier for you to separate your waste. You can dispose of your food waste and residual waste whenever it suits you.
What does a collection point look like?
A waste collection point includes:
- 1 or 2 undergrond containers for residual waste
- a food waste container, for residents of flats and apartment buildings only.
These are separate from existing sorting stations (milieuperrons). Sorting stations have containers for materials such as glass, paper, nappies and incontinence products.
When will my neighbourhood be included?
The new system will be introduced neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Rollout per neighbourhood
- 2026/2027: Amby, Limmel, Nazareth
- 2027: Boschpoort, Belvédère, Bosscherveld, Lanakerveld, Caberg, Oud-Caberg, Malberg, Malpertuis
- 2028: Frontenkwartier, Brusselsepoort, Pottenberg, Dousberg-Hazendans, Daalhof, Belfort, Mariaberg, Wolder, Campagne, Biesland, Jekerdal, Villapark, Sint Pieter
- 2029: Wyckerpoort, Wittevrouwenveld, Scharn, Heer, Vroendaal, De Heeg, Randwyck, Heugem
- 2030: Boschstraatkwartier, Statenkwartier, Kommelkwartier, Jekerkwartier, Binnenstad, Sint Maartenspoort, Wyck, Heugemerveld
What if you live in Borgharen or Itteren?
Waste collection points will not be introduced in these neighbourhoods. Instead, residents will receive a mini bin for residual waste at home in 2028. This will be the same type of bin as the green one used for vegetable, fruit, garden and food waste (gft+e).
You will receive a letter in 2027 or 2028 with more information. Until then, waste collection will continue as usual.
Waste collection points are less suitable in these neighbourhoods because homes are further apart and the areas are more spread out. That is why we have chosen to collect residual waste here using mini bins.
Do you live in Meerssenhoven or Beatrixhaven?
For the time being, nothing is changing in Beatrixhaven and Meerssenhoven. We will continue to collect residual waste door-to-door in the red-and-white waste bags. Should anything change in the coming years, we will send you a letter.
Information sessions about waste collection points
Before deciding on locations for waste collection points in a neighbourhood, we will organise a local information session.
At these sessions, we will:
- explain why the new waste containers are needed
- show how locations are selected
- present possible locations in your neighbourhood
- listen to residents' ideas and preferences
- answer questions
- give you the opportunity to share your views on the proposed locations.
Full details of the sessions will be available on your neighbourhood's project page when it's your neighbourhood's turn.
How are locations chosen?
Not every location is suitable for a collection point. When selecting sites, we take into account:
- road safety
- proximity to homes
- underground cables and pipes
- access for collection vehicles
- the impact on parking and green spaces
Our aim is to keep walking distances within 200 metres wherever possible.
Can residents have a say?
Yes. Before the municipal executive makes a decision on the locations, you can give feedback on the proposed sites in your neighbourhood.
We will organise an information session where you can share your views, tell us what matters to you and ask municipal staff any questions you may have.
Afterwards, we will collect and review all feedback. The municipal executive will take residents' feedback and the results of further investigations into account when deciding on the locations.
You can follow your neighbourhood's project page to see which locations have been approved and which are still awaiting a decision.
Frequently asked questions about collection points
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Why are we switching to a new way of collecting waste?
National guidelines on safe working require waste collection work to be made less physically demanding. At the moment, crews often have to lift heavy bags and food waste caddies when collecting waste from homes. This puts a lot of strain on their bodies.
With waste collection points, more of the work can be done using machinery and equipment. This means staff have to lift less, helping them stay healthy and continue doing their work for longer.
The new containers also make it easier for you to separate your waste. This means less residual waste is left over and more waste can be recycled. That's better for the environment and for your wallet. You can also dispose of your food waste and residual waste whenever it suits you.
What is a waste collection point?
A waste collection point is a place in your neighbourhood with 1 or 2 containers for residual waste. For residents of flats and apartment buildings, there will also be a container for food waste, such as fruit, vegetables and food leftovers.
This is different from a sorting station (milieuperron). Sorting stations have containers for materials such as glass, paper, nappies and incontinence products.
Why are food waste caddies being phased out for flats and apartments?
The current 25-litre caddies are heavy for waste collection staff to lift and no longer meet national guidelines. See also the explanation in the first question.
By introducing shared containers at waste collection points, residents can dispose of their food waste at any time, while the work becomes less physically demanding for staff. You can still keep your caddy to collect food waste at home.
Is there a charge for disposing of food waste?
No. Disposing of food waste in the shared containers is free of charge.
Do I need to return my food waste caddy?
No. Although the caddies will no longer be emptied, you can continue using yours to collect food waste at home before taking it to the container at your waste collection point.
Can I use bags for food waste?
Yes, but only compostable bags are permitted. Look for the seedling logo or the OK compost label. Do not tie the bags, as they need to remain open to compost properly during processing.
Plastic bags are not allowed, as they contaminate the compost produced from food waste.
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When will the changes take place in my neighbourhood?
The new system will be introduced neighbourhood by neighbourhood between 2026 and 2030. See 'When will my neighbourhood be included?' above for the planned rollout schedule.
If you live in Amby, Limmel or Nazareth, visit your neighbourhood's project page for the latest schedule.
Where will my nearest residual waste container be located?
Waste collection points will be installed at various locations across each neighbourhood. You can find the locations and the latest project updates on your neighbourhood's project page.
Before the municipal executive decides on the locations, we will present the proposed sites and give residents the opportunity to provide feedback.
How does the municipality decide on locations?
Selecting suitable locations for waste collection points takes place in several stages.
Initial assessment
We first identify locations that are technically suitable. For example, we check whether waste collection vehicles can access the site and whether there are underground cables or pipes in the way.
Draft proposals
Based on this, we draw up an initial list of possible locations.
Resident input
These proposals are presented at local information sessions, where residents can share their views and raise any concerns.
Decision on locations
The municipal executive decides on the locations, taking residents' feedback and the results of further investigations into account. We will also explain how residents' feedback has been considered.
Installation
The waste collection points are then installed. Residents living nearby will be informed in advance.
How far will I need to walk to a waste collection point?
In most cases, a waste collection point will be within around 200 metres of your home. This may vary slightly depending on the layout of the neighbourhood and available space.
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Can I have a say in where containers are placed?
Yes. We will organise information sessions in each neighbourhood. At these sessions, we will present the proposed locations for waste collection points. You will be able to share your views and provide feedback.
What happens to my feedback on the plans?
We collect all feedback received at information sessions and through other channels. We then review it and explain how it has been taken into account when selecting locations.
The municipal executive will then make a decision on the plans. If you disagree with the decision, you can lodge a formal objection.
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How do the underground containers for residual waste work?
You open the container with your plastic waste disposal pass (milieupas). Please note: the digital pass in the MilieuApp cannot be used for this.
You then put your residual waste in the container. Each time you use the container, you pay the same as you would for one 50-litre red-and-white residual waste bag. You receive an annual bill afterwards via BsGW.
How do I get a plastic waste disposal pass?
You need a plastic waste disposal pass (milieupas) to open the containers. The digital pass in the MilieuApp cannot be used for this.
Don't have a plastic waste disposal pass yet? Apply for one here.
Can I dispose of waste at any time?
Yes. Waste collection points are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can dispose of your waste whenever it suits you.
What type of rubbish bags can I use?
You can use standard household rubbish bags of up to 60 litres. Once the underground containers have been installed in your neighbourhood, you may no longer use the red-and-white residual waste bags.
What happens to the red-and-white waste bags?
Once the new system is in place in your neighbourhood, you will use standard rubbish bags and take your residual waste to a nearby container.
If you still have unused red-and-white bags, you can give them to someone in a neighbourhood where the old system still applies. You can also donate them to the food bank.
Why do I have to pay each time I use the container?
Charging per use encourages people to separate their waste more effectively. This means less residual waste, which is better for the environment and for your wallet.
Residual waste is the most expensive type of waste to process. Less residual waste therefore means lower costs.
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Are the collection points accessible for people with mobility aids?
Yes. Accessibility is an important consideration in both the design and placement of the containers. They are located along accessible routes such as pavements or footpaths, with sufficient space around them for ease of use.
What if I’m unable to take my waste to the container myself?
If you’re unable to dispose of your waste due to age, illness or a disability, someone else can do this on your behalf. The containers are accessible at all times, making it easier to arrange assistance when needed.
I’m on a low income and currently receive free waste bags. What will change?
If you currently receive free residual waste bags due to a low income, you will instead receive a number of free disposals on your waste disposal pass under the new system. This means your first few uses of the container will be free of charge.
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What if a container is full?
If a container is full, you can use another nearby container.
If you notice a container is full or not functioning properly, please report it via the BuitenBeter app or by calling 14 043.
What happens if someone leaves waste next to a container?
Leaving waste beside a container is not permitted, as it leads to litter and environmental nuisance. If you see this happening, please report it via the BuitenBeter app or by calling 14 043. The waste will be cleared within 3 working days.
What should I do if my plastic waste disposal pass doesn’t work or is lost?
If your plastic waste disposal pass does not work or you have lost it, request a new pass via the page Waste disposal pass | Municipality of Maastricht.
Room rentals with a shared front door
If you live in a rented room and share a front door, you can still use the underground waste containers, provided you have access to a plastic waste disposal pass (milieupas).
- If a pass is already registered at your address, it can be shared among residents.
- If not, your landlord may have one – check with them first.
Charges are based on usage. The annual bill is sent to the landlord via BsGW, so it’s important to agree in advance how costs will be shared.
Landlords of rooms with a shared front door
If you let rooms within a property with a shared entrance, ensure your tenants can use the plastic waste disposal pass linked to the address. As the property owner, you will receive the annual charges via BsGW. Make clear arrangements with tenants about how these costs are passed on.
Information for businesses
The containers at waste collection points are intended for household waste from residents only. Businesses are not allowed to use them. If you run a business, you are responsible for arranging your own commercial waste collection.
If you run a business and currently pay a commercial waste collection charge, you will receive further information later this year.
Contact us
Got any questions? Please check the frequently asked questions above first. If you still need help, you can send an email to grondstoffenplan [at] maastricht.nl.
When waste collection points are about to be installed in your neighbourhood, you will receive a letter with more information.