Innovation in the disposal of packaging
It is collected together and then separated: 70 percent of the waste in the new yellow sack is definitely incinerated again. Yoghurt cups, plastic bags, foil and cans – all of this has also been in the yellow bag since the beginning of the year, but only between 25 and 30 percent of them can actually be recycled, admits the head of the waste service in the city of Salzburg, Jürgen Wulff-Gegenbaur. a.
“Bundle the yellow bag, build up recycling channels”
“But there’s no point in doing this step by step, starting with the yoghurt pot and then eventually adding the meat pot. That would be just as counterproductive. That’s why I’m also in favor of bundling the yellow sack the way we have it, with the metal packaging at the same time,” says Wulff-Gegenbaur.
“At the same time, we & all of Austria’s independent companies so that we can really build up the recycling channels and say that what’s in the yellow bag can really be recycled. We are still a long way from that at the moment,” adds Wulff-Gegenbaur.
The EU prescribes a recycling rate of 50 percent by 2025
The reason for the implementation are the specifications for waste separation of the EU. For plastic packaging, a recycling quota of 50 percent applies by 2025. Currently, only about 25 percent is recycled. In Bergheim-Siggerwiesen (Flachgau), the yellow sack is dismantled, Josef Weilhartner from the Siggerwiesen environmental protection facilities.
“The fact that things are separated more specifically here does not automatically increase the recycling rate. But in the end, of course, that is exactly what must come out, otherwise Austria cannot meet the relevant EU requirements. What we are doing here now is part of the process of standardizing the collection and sorting of plastic packaging waste,” emphasizes Weilhartner.
Twice as much garbage expected for yellow bag
The Salzburg Waste Service is now expecting twice as much waste for the yellow bag – but there will not be more bins. A yellow bin can currently be ordered for ten or more people in the household. The yellow sack, on the other hand, has quickly doubled in size at 110 liters since January and is picked up more often, says Wulff-Gegenbaur.
“The work on this has been going on for more than a year. Since we have known that the packaging ordinance has certain rules, we have been in the process of changing that. To date we have had four areas in the city of Salzburg, which we have all visited monthly. Now, most of the city of Salzburg has fortnightly departures, and some outskirts to the north and south of the city of Salzburg will continue to have monthly departures.”
Online calendar for the new collection dates
The city of Salzburg has created an online calendar for the new collection dates. If you are not sure what really goes in which bin, you will also find information on the correct waste separation there, Salzburg’s Deputy Mayor Bernhard Auinger (SPÖ).
“People put the issue of ‘environment and waste’ very far down the list because of the dominating rise in prices. In this respect, it is important to use this campaign to raise awareness that people can also save money in their own households by separating waste in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner,” says Auinger.
Posters should motivate people to separate waste
In addition, posters will soon motivate people to separate waste again and thus boost the circular economy.
Innovation in the disposal of packaging
There have been new rules for the disposal of packaging material since January 1st. That’s why, since the beginning of the year, not only clean packaging waste has ended up in the yellow sack or in the yellow clay.