Questions and Answers

As in this case no hazardous substances are involved, it will suffice to use the contents of the package (including soaps, shampoos or creams) completely before disposal. Then, such empty packages can be thrown in the container for plastic without any problem.

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.

Yes, most probably you make plastic waste sorting correctly. However, no clear answer can be given in this respect, as there is no clear list of items that can be and cannot be put in the container. Relevant data may be different in various areas of the country. Correct information for the area of concern should be sought from the competent municipal authority or the collection firm.

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. 

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.

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.

Put shredder paper in the container similarly as any other paper provided that it is not wet, greasy or otherwise soiled (by biological contamination).

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.

These paper boxes (of milk, juices, wine, etc.) are called “beverage cartons” and require separate handling. Now, the beverage cartons are sorted and collected in many towns and villages over the entire country.                                      Containers for collecting beverage cartons can be easily identified by their special orange label that reads “Beverage Cartons”. In certain towns/villages beverage cartons are collected in orange bags. Information about proper waste management, sorting and collection of beverage cartons should be sought from the department of environmental protection or the person responsible for waste management at the relevant municipality.                                                     In case your municipality organises the collection of beverage cartons, rinse the empty carton with water only, compress it and put its cap back, but do not tighten it! Throw the carton in the container or orange bag, designed for beverage carton collection in your town or village. 

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.

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.

Yes, but meat residues and bones, as well as liquid and greasy food shall be avoided. Such biological waste may be the source of hygienic risk. On the other hand, almost any organic waste that is liable to anaerobic or aerobic biodegradation (food leftovers, garden waste, tea bags, egg shells, etc.) can be composted. For more information see www.ekodomov.cz

Children napkins should be chucked, as well as paper tissues and sanitary towels, in the black or grey container for mixed waste.

Used packages of technological oils, paints, thinners and other chemicals should be handed over to the centre authorised to collect hazardous waste, usually to the drop-off centre. Oils are collected also at take-back points, established often with petrol refill stations and motor car service shops. Engine/gearbox oil change should be made preferably in a service shop. In most cases the information is shown on the product label.

In general it shall apply that such waste should be put in a bin for mixed waste, provided that it does not belong to electric waste, batteries, lighting equipment, hazardous and bulky waste or to the waste (drug residues, e.g.) that must be treated using specific methods.

These packages, called “combined” shall go in mixed waste. The packages are made of a few materials that are not easily separable and include, e.g., blister packages used for medical products. In most cases such combined packages cannot be reasonably processed. The beverage cartons used for packing beverages and some sauces and certain other combined packages make an exception.

In case the used bottle of oil has been thoroughly washed with warm water and detergent, it may by thrown in the container for plastics. Otherwise it shall go in mixed waste, as contamination with oil may cause considerable problems in sorted waste recycling. Used oil from deep fryers should be given in the drop-off centre. In household it can be stored in a metal can for a long time and transported to the centre later, in a larger quantity.

The identification code “C/” indicates the package is made of a material combination and, therefore, waste bearing this code should be thrown in the mixed waste bin.
However, packages marked with “C/PAP”, or beverage cartons, make an exception as they are collected as a separate sorted waste and should be put in orange and orange labelled containers or bags after compression (caps inclusive).

Metal packages and aluminium caps should be thrown in collection vessels designed for the purpose, if used in your town. Otherwise they should go in mixed waste. Larger quantities can be brought to the drop-off centre or a buy-back centre.

Even though mascara packages are made of plastic or glass, they are contaminated with colour residues. They should be thrown in a mixed waste bin.

Electric waste is taken back by take-back centres, such as the store where you bought it. You can leave it also in a municipal drop-off centre. For more information concerning electric waste see www.asekol.cz and www.elektrowin.cz

If still wearable, give it for charity, larger quantities should be better handed over to the drop-off centre (collection yard). Some municipalities in the Czech Republic operate systems of vessels for textile collection.

Smaller quantities may be added to mixed waste, larger pieces should be better transported to the drop-off centre.

In the mixed waste bin – toothpaste tubes can contain an aluminium layer. Moreover, the tubes usually cannot be completely emptied, contain toothpaste residues and should be deemed contaminated packages.

In this case the direction for safe use and handling, found on the package, shall be strictly observed. These agents, in the most, contain hazardous substances and their packages represent hazardous waste. Transport them to the drop-off centre or hand them over to the mobile point of hazardous waste collection. The package of such agents bears an orange warning symbol.

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.