The 10 most common mistakes when sorting waste.

Although 83% of Poles believe that mandatory waste segregation is a good and necessary solution, only half of us know how to sort it properly . In addition, most people realize that they have knowledge gaps and believe that it would be helpful to introduce more clear markings, according to research conducted by the Symetria agency .

52% of Poles sort waste correctly.

The obligation to sort waste came into force at the beginning of September 2020, but a study conducted a year after its introduction shows that as many as 93% of respondents had already sorted waste. In the study, 500 people were asked to throw various types of waste into appropriate containers - only half of the study participants (52%) threw away all the garbage correctly. When asked to indicate how they assessed their knowledge of waste sorting, respondents rated it on average at 6 points (on a 10-point scale).

What is most difficult? In this particular study, only 14% of people knew that the deodorant container should be thrown away into a container with metals and plastics (or into glass if the container was glass), 19% actually threw away the mirror (a small mirror was thrown into mixed waste, a large mirror was treated as waste). large-size), and only one third of the respondents knew that cat feces and fish waste should be thrown into a container with mixed waste - and not into the one marked "bio".

Cardboard is not cardboard.

Another common mistake is throwing milk, cream or juice cartons into paper containers, when they should be placed into metal and plastic containers. This is because although such packaging gives the impression of being made of cardboard, inside it contains, among others: layer of metal foil. Styrofoam, which is difficult to separate, should also be placed in plastic containers .

Mixed meat, organic fruit.

Throwing meat and bones into containers marked "organic" - a mistake! Yes, it is misleading - but it is worth remembering that biodegradable waste only includes plant remains , i.e. peels, peels and remains of raw fruit and vegetables. Wilted flowers, cut grass, leaves, sawdust and fragments of raw wood may also end up there. Bones, raw or cooked meat, leftovers from dinner should be placed in a mixed waste container.

Problematic receipts.

Store receipts or ATM confirmations should not be thrown into the paper waste container, only mixed waste . This is because they are made of thermal paper, which is not recyclable . As many as 90% of respondents admit that they were convinced that old receipts should be placed in a container marked "paper".

Bio in the commercial.

Sorting makes little sense if we throw away biodegradable or paper waste in plastic garbage bags. And this is a mistake that many people make. It is best to collect bio-waste in a paper bag or throw it away loose, just like in the case of glass or paper.

Porcelain is not glass.

Only empty bottles and glass packaging - jars - should be placed in glass containers. Broken glasses, cups, chipped plates made of faience, crystal or burnt clay should be thrown into mixed waste containers . Important! We do not remove labels from bottles and jars - this will be done at the waste sorting center. There is no need to wash the glass either.

Clothes are not paper.

Old clothes often end up in... paper bins. Some people assume that textiles are closer to paper than to metal or glass. This is a mistake, because used clothes - unless they are placed in specially designated containers - are mixed waste. Before throwing them away, it is worth removing zippers or buttons - and sorting them appropriately.

If in doubt, it is always worth checking in a special search engine how to properly segregate. The appropriate address for Warsaw is : https://segregujna5.um.warszawa.pl/ . Every city has such services. It is also worth remembering that batteries, expired medicines and electronic equipment must be placed in specially prepared containers.

Bibliography:

1. Zańko P., Waste segregation is beyond half of Poles. What do we most often have problems with? Polskatimes.pl, January 7, 2021
2. Pawlak R., “Only half of Poles segregate waste properly. There are no appropriate markings on containers and packaging.”Biznes.newseria.pl, January 7, 2021
3. “We segregate waste!”, lublin.eu, September 12, 2019
4. Principles of waste segregation in Warsaw, segregujna5.um.warszawa.pl.