Municipalities
General information for each municipality can be found on the municipal websites:
www.hilversum.nl, www.laren.nl etc.
Garbage
The Netherlands is an environmentally conscious country. Garbage is separated everywhere, but cities may have different rules. For Hilversum and surroundings the following rules apply:
| Food/organic matter | Green containers |
| Paper | Blue containers |
| Plastic, metal and drinks cartons (PMD) | PMD containers or specialty plastic bags. |
| Glass, jars, bottles | These need to be brought to special glass collection points where you can choose between white, green or brown glass. |
| Large trash (grof huisvuil); oversized objects like old washing machines, furniture or packing boxes | These are not collected with the normal garbage. For these things you have to call a special number (see www.gad.nl) or take it to the dump (scheidingsstation) at the GAD. At these scheidingsstations you will also be asked to separate your garbage. |
| All the rest | Grey containers |
Your specific collection days for garbage can be found by searching online for ‘afvalkalender’ (garbage calendar), on www.gad.nl or on the municipality website. Here you can find out which container is collected on which days according to your postcode.
Libraries / bibliotheken
⫘ www.bibliotheekhilversum.nl for Hilversum (expat section available)
⫘ www.bibliotheekgooienmeer.nl for Bussum, Eemnes and Naarden
⫘ www.bibliotheekhlb.nl for Huizen, Laren and Blaricum
⫘ www.bibliotheekeemland.nl for Baarn
Utilities
Cable TV / Internet / Telephone
There are too many providers to list here. For a list try using these search terms: ‘vergelijk’ ‘internet’ ‘bellen’ (compare internet phone). Some examples of providers are: XS4ALL, Ziggo and KPN.
Gas / Electricity
Please find below comparison websites that are useful to find the cheapest providers and best packages.
⫘ www.gaslicht.com
⫘ www.easyswitch.nl
Water
⫘ www.vitens.nl