Questions and Answers

Minor contamination of packages makes no problem. It will suffice to empty the cup by a spoon. However, emptied cups should not be stored for a long time, in order any rise of unpleasant odour to be avoided. Preferably, used yoghurt cups, etc., should be rinsed with water. It should be noted that greasy packages and food residues will complicate subsequent recycling of plastic waste.

No, observe the instruction shown on the container. Such labels are placed on containers if the municipality does not organise a separate collection of beverage containers that should be then collected together with either paper or plastics. The two materials will be separated in the subsequent final sorting process.

Any method of compression of these packages is very favourable as it saves waste volume for sorted waste storage and its subsequent transport. Packages reduced in volume in this way will take a four times smaller space than before compression. Moreover, the design of certain containers for beverage cartons does not allow an uncompressed beverage carton to be thrown in. Package compression will reduce associated transport costs. In this respect it is recommended not to use special presses for PET bottles, as the bottles compressed by them cause problems in further processing.

Letter envelopes with foil windows may be put in sorted waste as a whole. The windows will be separated from stock in the paper mill automatically during the process of pulping and subsequent multistage screening. However, blister liners have to be removed before sorting.

Both paper clips and staples need not be removed, as they will be separated from stock in the paper mill automatically during the process of pulping and subsequent multistage screening.

The vehicles used for collecting sorted waste from containers are usually the same as used for the collection of mixed municipal waste. In case a vehicle collects sorted waste, it should bear the clearly visible name of the collected commodity. This measure will eliminate any doubt that certain citizen may have about mixing already sorted wastes together.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    In case containers with a bottom discharge are used, certain vehicles can collect two types of sorted waste at the same time, provided that their loading space (body) is divided into two spaces by a partition.                                          However, there are cases, in which the content of container for sorted waste should be added to the mixed municipal waste. It occurs, if the sorted waste in the container has been incorrectly sorted or contains not negligible amounts of mixed waste. In such case all the waste in the container cannot be re-sorted, is devalued for further processing and should be handled as mixed municipal waste (dropped off on a landfill or incinerated). Correct waste sorting is, therefore, very important.

PET bottles may be put in the container with both the cap and label. The two parts will be removed in automatic processing of PET waste. Before chucking the bottle off, collapse the bottle with foot and put the cap back, but do not tighten it! Uncompressed bottles increase both the useless volume of waste and transport cost, make handling more complex and recycling more expensive.

These packages for eggs are produced from recycled paper fibres of the worst quality. Their reprocessing into any other product appears questionable and it will be better to put them into mixed waste.

The deployment of containers for sorted waste, as well as their subsequent waste collection does not fall within the competence of our company. Our company supports the towns and villages engaged in the EKO-KOM system with financial contributions for establishing and operating their systems of waste sorting. At the same time it provides them with necessary consultations concerning efficient system setting and maintenance. The final stage of implementation, i.e., the ways used by particular town, village and district authorities for the deployment of containers and collection of sorted waste will rest solely on their decision. Therefore, your proposals and complaints about the low number, overfilling or inaccessibility of containers should be directed to the competent municipality, or, better, to the responsible department of the environment.

Waste sorting can generate savings of money otherwise paid from the municipal budget for waste handling. The more waste is sorted in your town, the higher sum your municipality obtains from the EKO-KOM company. Lower costs will be also expended on the removal of municipal waste and its deposition in a landfill. This saving of municipal finances will be reflected in the level of lump sum charges paid for waste, or in the number of containers and informational activities concerning waste management.