Environmental Services

Commercial waste is waste generated by companies, institutions, and organizations. Unlike household waste, commercial waste is not collected by the municipality. As a business owner, you are responsible for arranging the collection and processing of your own waste through a licensed waste collector.You must enter into a contract with a recognized waste collector (erkende afvalinzamelaar) for the collection and processing of your commercial waste. This obligation is set out in the municipal Waste Management Ordinance (Afvalstoffenverordening). The costs are borne by the business. Municipalities may also require you to separate certain waste streams such as paper, glass, and organic waste.

Issued by: Municipality

Discharging commercial wastewater into the sewer system or surface water is regulated under the Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet). If your business produces wastewater that does not meet the standard discharge requirements, you need an exemption from the municipality or waterschap (water authority) to discharge it legally.The exemption application is assessed based on the type and quantity of substances in your wastewater and the capacity of the local treatment system. Conditions may include pre-treatment of wastewater before discharge, periodic sampling, and reporting obligations. The municipality or waterschap supervises compliance and can revoke the exemption if conditions are not met.

Issued by: Municipality

A soil final investigation is required when you are going to build, renovate, or change the designation of land. The investigation clarifies whether the soil quality is suitable for the intended use. If a current soil investigation is already available, you can use this instead of conducting a new investigation.The final investigation must be reported to the municipality according to the rules in the Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving (Environmental Activities Decree). This investigation is part of the duty of care for soil quality in construction activities.

Issued by: Municipality

A soil preliminary investigation is a mandatory investigation that must be conducted before certain soil-affecting activities take place. This investigation establishes the initial quality of the soil and serves as a reference point for later checks. It is a legal obligation under the Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving (Environmental Activities Decree).The preliminary investigation provides insight into the current condition of the soil and helps determine whether activities can be carried out without unacceptable risks to soil quality. Results must be retained for possible later inspections.

Issued by: Municipality

A soil protection permit is required when you need to carry out soil remediation on contaminated land. If site investigation shows that soil or groundwater at your property is contaminated above intervention levels, remediation is mandatory before the site can be used for its current or planned purpose. Only accredited soil remediation companies may perform the cleanup work.The permit is issued by the municipality, with supervision delegated to the regional environmental service (Omgevingsdienst). Your remediation plan must meet legal standards for soil quality and describe the methods, timeline, and monitoring measures. The permit may include conditions on post-remediation monitoring to verify that the site meets target values.

Issued by: Municipality

Under certain conditions, you can purchase a piece of municipal land from the municipality. This often concerns green strips and residual plots that are not directly intended for public use. Renting or temporary use is also possible in some cases, depending on the municipality's plans for the plot in question.To purchase, rent or temporarily use municipal land, you must submit a written application to the municipality. The municipality assesses your application based on municipal policy and the zoning of the plot.

Issued by: Municipality

The nature and landscape management subsidy scheme (Subsidiestelsel Natuur en Landschap, SNL) provides financial support to owners and managers of nature areas, agricultural landscapes, and landscape elements such as hedgerows, ponds, and tree lines. The scheme helps cover the costs of maintaining biodiversity and landscape quality.Provinces administer the subsidy based on a nationally coordinated framework. You apply through the province where your land is located. Subsidy contracts typically run for six years and require you to manage the land according to an approved management plan. The scheme is open to private landowners, nature organizations, and agricultural businesses.

Issued by: Province

Waste collection fee (reinigingsrecht) is a municipal levy that residents and businesses pay for cleaning public spaces and collecting household waste. The levy consists of two components: the waste collection tax (afvalstoffenheffing, for collecting and processing household waste) and the cleaning fees (reinigingsrechten, for keeping streets and public spaces clean).The levy is automatically imposed by the municipality on all residents and users of properties within the municipality. The amount of the levy is determined annually by the municipal council in the tax regulation and differs per municipality.

Issued by: Municipality

The sewerage tax (rioolheffing) is a municipal levy paid by users or owners of properties connected to the municipal sewer system. Municipalities are legally obligated to maintain a properly functioning sewer system for wastewater collection, rainwater drainage, and groundwater management.Revenue from the sewerage tax funds the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the municipal sewer network. The tax amount varies by municipality and is typically included in the annual municipal tax assessment. Some municipalities bill based on a flat rate per connection, while others base it on water consumption or property value. Payment terms and billing methods differ per municipality.

Issued by: Municipality

A notification of tree felling (melding vellen houtopstand) is required when you wish to fell trees or a stand of trees. Depending on the location and scale, a notification or permit may be required. The regulation is intended to ensure the protection of trees and green infrastructure.The notification or application is submitted to the municipality, province, or national government, depending on the location and the applicable legislation. The legal basis is Article 11.126 of the Environmental Activities Decree (Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving, Bal), which determines when a notification or permit is required for felling trees.

Issued by: Municipality, Province, or National Government

Many municipalities require property owners to disconnect rainwater drainage from the sewage system, so that rainwater infiltrates into the soil or is collected separately instead of overloading the sewer during heavy rainfall. If disconnecting is technically impossible or unreasonably expensive for your property, you can apply for an exemption from this mandatory disconnection.The municipality assesses your application based on local circumstances, such as soil type, groundwater levels, the condition of existing drainage, and the cost of alternatives. You must demonstrate why disconnection is not feasible. The exemption may be granted with conditions, such as implementing partial disconnection or alternative rainwater management measures.

Issued by: Municipality

If your business collects, transports, trades, or brokers commercial waste, you must register on the VIHB list (Vervoerders, Inzamelaars, Handelaars en Bemiddelaars) with NIWO before starting operations. This registration is required under the Environmental Management Act (Wet milieubeheer) and applies to all companies active in the waste chain.You apply online through the NIWO Ondernemersloket using eHerkenning. A certificate of conduct (VOG) is required for all applicants. If you trade in or broker waste, you also need a professional competence certificate from CBR. Operating without registration can lead to fines and enforcement action by the environment inspectorate.

Issued by: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management

If your business produces, transports, receives, or processes commercial waste, you are required to keep a waste registration (bedrijfsafvalstoffenregistratie). You must record all waste streams within your company, including the type, quantity, and destination of waste materials.You report received waste to the LMA via the AMICE system (Electronic Waste Notification). To use AMICE, you need a waste processor ID code (verwerkersnummer). This obligation falls under the Environmental Management Act (Wet milieubeheer) and is enforced by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Failure to maintain proper records can result in fines.

Issued by: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management

An underground storage permit is required for storing substances in the subsurface, such as natural gas, CO2, compressed air, or other energy carriers. This permit falls under the Mining Act (Mijnbouwwet) and is issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy at the national level.The permit covers long-term storage in natural geological formations or artificial cavities in the soil. Applications are assessed on safety, environmental impact, and the suitability of the storage site. You must submit a detailed plan describing the substances to be stored, the geological characteristics of the site, monitoring measures, and procedures for closing the storage facility after use.

Issued by: National Government Service

The code of conduct for other species (gedragscode andere soorten) is a voluntary instrument for working with or near protected animal species that do not fall under the Birds Directive or Habitats Directive. These are species that are nationally protected under the Omgevingswet.By working according to an approved code of conduct, you can carry out activities without requiring an exemption, provided that you meet the conditions of the code. The code contains measures to prevent or limit negative effects on protected species. The protection regime was previously part of the Wet natuurbescherming and was incorporated into the Omgevingswet on January 1, 2024.

Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

The code of conduct for the Habitats Directive (gedragscode Habitatrichtlijn) is an approved instrument for working with or near protected animal species covered by the European Habitats Directive. These species have strict protection and disturbance is prohibited in principle.By working according to a code of conduct approved by the minister, certain activities can be carried out without requiring a separate exemption. The code contains specific measures to prevent the favorable conservation status of the species from being affected and to limit negative effects as much as possible.

Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

The code of conduct for forest stands (gedragscode houtopstand) is a voluntary instrument for work on or near trees and forests where protected animal species reside. It concerns felling, thinning, pruning or other maintenance of trees and forest stands.By working according to an approved code of conduct, forest managers and foresters can carry out their work without requiring a separate exemption under the Omgevingswet. The species protection rules previously found in the Wet natuurbescherming were incorporated into the Omgevingswet on January 1, 2024. The code contains measures to prevent disturbance of protected species, for example by performing work outside the breeding season or maintaining suitable nesting opportunities.

Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

The code of conduct for nature conservation (gedragscode natuurbescherming) is an approved instrument that allows you to carry out certain activities without requiring a separate exemption under the Omgevingswet. Cavity walls, roofs and facades of houses sometimes house protected animals such as bats, swifts and house sparrows.If you are going to insulate, rebuild or renovate your house, you must take these protected species into account. By working according to an approved code of conduct, you prevent the animals from being affected by the work and ensure they get a new suitable place to live. This obligation was previously part of the Wet natuurbescherming and is now governed by the Omgevingswet since January 1, 2024.

Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

The code of conduct for the Birds Directive (gedragscode Vogelrichtlijn) is an approved instrument for activities that may affect protected birds and their nests. All wild birds in the Netherlands are protected under the European Birds Directive and the Omgevingswet.By working according to a code of conduct approved by the minister, you can carry out certain activities without requiring a separate exemption. The species protection rules previously found in the Wet natuurbescherming were incorporated into the Omgevingswet on January 1, 2024. The code contains measures to prevent disturbance of birds, such as performing work outside the breeding season, maintaining nesting opportunities and taking compensatory measures.

Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

Owners of estates can have their estate designated as natural beauty (natuurschoon) under the Natural Beauty Act 1928 (Natuurschoonwet 1928). This designation offers tax benefits, such as exemption or reduction of inheritance and gift tax and reduced property tax (OZB).To qualify for this designation, the estate must meet conditions regarding size, public accessibility, natural values and cultural-historical significance. The designation is granted by the Ministry of Finance after consultation with the province. The estate must be accessible to the public and be maintained.

Issued by: Ministry of Finance

An environmental permit for flora and fauna activity is required for activities that may be harmful to protected plants and animals. This applies, for example, if as a result of your activities you destroy prohibited nests or habitats of protected animals, kill, catch or disturb protected animals, or pick protected plants or destroy their growing sites.The permit is issued by the municipality, province or national government, depending on the protected species and location. You apply for the permit via the Omgevingsloket (Environmental Portal). The competent authority assesses whether the activity can be permitted under conditions that limit damage to flora and fauna.

Issued by: Competent Authority (municipality, province or national government)

If your business involves activities that affect the environment, such as producing noise, storing hazardous substances, or discharging into soil or water, you may need an environmental permit for environmentally harmful activities (milieubelastende activiteit). This applies when starting a new business or changing or expanding existing operations.Use the Vergunningcheck on the Omgevingsloket to find out if you need a notification or a full permit. A notification must be submitted at least 4 weeks before starting and is free of charge. A permit application is processed within 8 weeks (or 26 weeks for the extended procedure) and requires payment of fees. The rules are set out in the Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving and your local omgevingsplan.

Issued by: Municipality

An environmental permit for Natura 2000 activities (omgevingsvergunning Natura 2000-activiteit) is required for activities that may be harmful to protected Natura 2000 areas. These may include activities that release nitrogen, but also noise, light, or groundwater extraction that may have negative effects on protected nature areas.Natura 2000 is a European network of protected nature areas. The permit ensures that activities do not significantly affect the natural values in these areas. The permit may be issued by the municipality, province, or national government, depending on the location and nature of the activity.

Issued by: Municipality, Province, or National Government

The soil contamination notification is a legal obligation to report soil contamination to the competent authority when it is discovered. Since January 1, 2024, soil contamination rules are governed by the Omgevingswet, which replaced the former Wet bodembescherming. You are required to report serious soil contamination to the municipality or province.Through the notification, the competent authority can assess whether there is a risk to public health or the environment and whether remediation is necessary. You can also request soil information to find out whether investigation has already been conducted into soil contamination on your land.

Issued by: Gemeente / Provincie

If you want to extract groundwater from the soil for your business and use it, for example as irrigation water or for production processes, you will need a groundwater extraction permit in most cases. This permit is issued by the province or, for large extractions, by the national government. The permit is intended to protect groundwater and ensure that the extraction does not have negative consequences for the groundwater level and the environment.The need for a permit depends on the amount of water you want to extract and the purpose for which you use the groundwater. The water board or province assesses your application and may impose conditions on the extraction.

Issued by: Province or Water Board

If you extract or infiltrate groundwater, you are in most cases required to register these activities. The registration obligation applies to businesses and individuals who extract groundwater from the soil or introduce water into the soil (infiltration). This registration is intended to gain insight into groundwater use and to protect groundwater reserves.An important condition for registration is that you must be able to indicate how much water you extract or infiltrate. In case of infiltration, you are also required to measure, register and report the quality of the water to the competent authority (national government, province or water board).

Issued by: Province or Water Board

The small landscape elements subsidy helps landowners in rural areas plant or restore landscape features on their property. Municipalities and provinces provide this funding to improve the quality of the rural landscape, support biodiversity, and preserve cultural-historical values. Eligible landscape elements include hedgerows, tree lines, pollard willows, woodland edges, and ponds.If you own a farm or other property in a rural area, you can apply for this subsidy to cover part of the costs of planting or restoring these elements. The subsidy typically covers materials and planting costs, sometimes including maintenance for the first years. Requirements vary by municipality and province, but most require that the landscape elements are maintained for a minimum period after planting.

Issued by: Municipality or Province

The provincial environmental subsidy provides financial support for activities that contribute to environmental protection and sustainability goals. The subsidy is aimed at organizations and businesses that want to acquire knowledge, develop skills, or implement projects in the environmental field, such as preparing financing plans for sustainable investments or conducting environmental impact studies.The scheme is administered by the province under the provincial subsidy regulation (provinciale subsidieverordening). Each province sets its own priorities, eligible activities, and available budget. You apply at the provincial authority with a project plan and budget. Projects must align with the province's environmental policy objectives, which may include climate adaptation, circular economy, biodiversity improvement, or reduction of harmful emissions.

Issued by: Province

A provincial environmental exemption is a waiver from certain environmental rules laid down in the provincial environmental regulation (provinciale milieuverordening). As a business operator, you must in principle comply with all environmental rules for your business activities. In specific cases, the province may grant an exemption from these rules.The exemption is granted by the province of Limburg and relates to activities that pollute the environment, such as noise, energy, waste, air and soil use. For many other environmental activities you need an environmental permit or must submit a notification.

Issued by: Province

The provincial nature management subsidy (Subsidiestelsel Natuur en Landschap, SNL) provides financial support to landowners and land managers who maintain nature areas and landscape elements. Provinces are responsible for nature policy and fund this scheme to ensure that existing natural and landscape values are preserved through active management.Eligible applicants include private landowners, nature conservation organizations, and agricultural collectives that manage certified nature areas. The subsidy covers the costs of management activities such as mowing, grazing, pruning hedgerows, and maintaining waterways. Applicants must follow an approved management plan and the managed land must be designated within the provincial nature network (Natuurnetwerk Nederland). Contracts typically run for six years.

Issued by: Province

The nature area permit is required for activities that could harm protected Natura 2000 sites. Since January 1, 2024, this permit falls under the Omgevingswet (Environment and Planning Act), which replaced the former Wet natuurbescherming. Activities involving nitrogen deposition, noise, light, or groundwater extraction near protected areas typically require this permit.Applications are submitted through the Omgevingsloket. The province is usually the competent authority, though the national government handles certain cases. The assessment focuses on whether the proposed activity will cause significant adverse effects on the ecological values of the protected nature area.

Issued by: Province or National Government

An environmental permit for water activity (omgevingsvergunning wateractiviteit) is required for activities taking place in or near water that may affect the water system. Many water activities can be notified to the municipality, but certain activities with greater impact require a permit.This permit is issued by the province or national government and assesses whether the activity can be carried out safely without damage to the water system, water quality, or water defenses. This may involve works such as constructing jetties, bridges, sheet piling, or other interventions in surface water or groundwater.

Issued by: Province or National Government

An environmental permit for water extraction activity (omgevingsvergunning wateronttrekkingsactiviteit) is required for extracting groundwater or surface water for various purposes. Examples include pumping water to produce drinking water or using river water for cooling in industrial processes.The province issues this permit and assesses whether the water extraction does not cause disproportionate damage to the groundwater system, water quality, or nearby ecosystems. The permit regulates the amount of water that may be extracted and sets conditions to ensure sustainable water use.

Issued by: Province

If your business is located in or near a water protection zone (waterbeschermingszone), you need an exemption from the province before carrying out certain activities. Water protection zones surround groundwater extraction points and other drinking water sources, and strict rules apply to prevent contamination.You apply for the exemption at the provincial government (provincie). The province evaluates whether your activity poses a risk to the drinking water supply and may grant the exemption with conditions, such as restrictions on the use of chemicals or requirements for soil protection measures.

Issued by: Province

A water permit (watervergunning) is required for activities that affect water resources, such as extracting groundwater, discharging wastewater into surface water, building near waterways, using surface water for irrigation, or installing structures in or near water bodies. The permit protects water quality and ensures sustainable water management.Depending on the activity, the permit is issued by the water board (waterschap) or the province. You apply through the Omgevingsloket (Environmental Portal). The permit conditions specify allowed volumes, discharge quality standards, monitoring obligations, and seasonal restrictions. For small-scale activities such as limited groundwater extraction, a notification (melding) may suffice instead of a full permit.

Issued by: Municipality of Borger-Odoorn / Province / Water Board